Romania National Soccer Team
FIFA president Gianni Infantino, left, smiles after receiving the shirt of the Venezuelan soccer team with Venezuela President Nicolás Maduro, right, during his visit at Miraflores Presidential Palace in in Caracas, Venezuela , Friday , Oct 15, 2021. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
Infantino says biennial WCups can bring youth back to soccer

By Rob Harris Oct. 20, 2021 08:25 AM EDT

Goalkeeper Marian Aioani of Romania (black) and teammate Alexandru Pascanu look at the ball before an own goal as the come under pressure from South Korea during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Kashima, Japan. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Republic of Korea vs Romania 7/25/2021

Jul. 25, 2021 10:34 AM EDT

South Korea's Lee Donggyeong, right, celebrates scoring his side's second goal against Romania, as Marius Marin of Romania walks by during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Sunday, July 25, 2021, in Kashima, Japan. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
South Korea beats Romania 4-0 in men's Olympic soccer

Jul. 25, 2021 10:02 AM EDT

Honduras's Elvin Oliva, 21, scores an own goal during a men's soccer match against Romania at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Kashima, Japan. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
Romania beats Honduras 1-0 on return to Olympic soccer

Jul. 22, 2021 11:03 AM EDT

New Zealand's Chris Wood, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal against South Korea during a men's soccer match at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, July 22, 2021, in Kashima, Japan. (AP Photo/Fernando Vergara)
New Zealand beats South Korea 1-0 in men's Olympic soccer

Jul. 22, 2021 09:21 AM EDT

FILE - In this Sunday, April 25, 2021 filer, the video display casts a shadow on the pitch of the National Arena stadium, a venue of the Euro 2020 soccer tournament, in Bucharest, Romania. For players, the pandemic has meant a congested season that poses fitness challenges, let alone trying to avoid coronavirus infections. Financially playing the delayed tournament is essential for UEFA. For fans, the EURO 2020 24-team event should be the first chance for the widespread return of fans to stadiums across Europe since March 2020, assuming new restrictions aren't imposed. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda, File)
EURO 2020: Fans back in stadiums but not in same numbers

By Jerome Pugmire May. 25, 2021 08:34 AM EDT

FILE - In this Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019 file photo, Belgium supporters celebrate at the end of the Euro 2020 group I qualifying soccer match between Belgium and Cyprus at the King Baudouin stadium in Brussels. UEFA set itself a challenge deciding nine years ago to let a dozen cities around Europe host its marquee European Championship in 2020. The multi-country project means more fans can see their own team in a stadium than if Euro 2020 was being traditionally hosted by a single nation amid international travel restrictions. (AP Photo/Francisco Seco, File)
EURO 2020: Fans rewarded for UEFA's multi-country event

By Graham Dunbar May. 24, 2021 08:06 AM EDT

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel gives a post match TV interview after the English Premier League soccer match between Sheffield United and Chelsea at Bramall Lane stadium in Sheffield, England, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021. (Lee Smith/ Pool via AP)
Atletico-Chelsea match in Champions League moved to Romania

Feb. 10, 2021 06:15 AM EST

Referee Orel Grinfeld of Israel tells Poland's goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to go to his goal as Netherlands' Memphis Depay, left, prepares to take a penalty shot during the Nations League soccer match between Poland and The Netherlands at Silesian Stadium in Chorzow, Poland, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Czarek Sokolowski)
Host Italy, Belgium advance to stellar Nations League finals

By Graham Dunbar Nov. 18, 2020 06:29 PM EST

Norway's players celebrate the opening goal scored by Ghayas Zahid during a UEFA Nations League soccer match between Austria and Norway at the Ernst-Happel-Stadium in Vienna, Austria, Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2020. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)
Norway forfeits Nations League game canceled by virus case

Nov. 18, 2020 12:20 PM EST

Germany's Jonathan Tah, reacts with his goalkeeper Manuel Neuer , right, during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Spain and Germany in Seville, Spain, Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. Spain won the match 6-0. (AP Photo/Miguel Morenatti)
Spain hammers Germany, joins France in Nations League semis

Nov. 17, 2020 06:18 PM EST

Dortmund's Erling Haaland celebrates scoring a goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich at Signal Iduna Park, in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020. (Bernd Thissen/Pool via AP)
UEFA cancels Norway game as virus-hit team unable to travel

Nov. 14, 2020 05:10 PM EST

Dortmund's scorer Erling Haaland celebrates after winning the German Bundesliga soccer match between Borussia Dortmund and SC Freiburg in Dortmund, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)
Euro 2020 playoffs highlight busy week for European nations

By Graham Dunbar Oct. 06, 2020 01:25 PM EDT

Italy's Nicolo Barella, center, is celebrated by teammates Italy's Ciro Immobile, right, and Italy's Moise Kean, after scoring his side's first goal during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between The Netherlands and Italy at the Johan Cruijff ArenA in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Dominant Italy beats Netherlands 1-0 to move top of group

By Daniella Matar Sep. 07, 2020 05:40 PM EDT

FILE - In this Thursday, Nov. 28, 2019 file photo CFR's manager Dan Petrescu gives directions to his players during the Europa League soccer match between Lazio and CFR Cluj at Rome's Olympic stadium. In the Europe-wide race to finish this soccer season before the next one starts, Romania’s league aims to beat a UEFA target for completion by resuming in two weeks' time. On Thursday, May 28, 2020, public authorities were agreeing protocols to keep players and officials safe for a June 13 restart in Liga 1. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino, File)
Romania joining European soccer's race to complete season

By Graham Dunbar May. 28, 2020 12:54 PM EDT