England vs Romania: World Cup head-to-head record
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England and Romania have met twice at the FIFA World Cup, with each side winning one game: England lead the all-time record with one win, Romania have one win, and there have been no draws. The two clashes took place in 1970 and 1998, spanning nearly three decades of World Cup history.
Their first encounter came at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, where England won 1-0 in a Matchday 1 group game. Romania got their revenge at France 1998, beating England 2-1 in the group stage on Matchday 2, making the overall head-to-head perfectly level.
All-time World Cup head-to-head table
The table below lists every World Cup fixture between England and Romania in chronological order:
| Year | Stage | Matchday | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Group Stage | Matchday 1 | Romania 0-1 England |
| 1998 | Group Stage | Matchday 2 | Romania 2-1 England |
Match-by-match context
At the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, England — the defending champions — opened their Group 3 campaign against Romania in Guadalajara. A narrow 1-0 victory set England on their way, though they would ultimately exit to West Germany in the quarter-finals. It was a composed, professional performance against a competitive Romanian side.
The 1998 rematch in France proved far more dramatic. Grouped together again, Romania stunned England 2-1 in a result that significantly complicated England's path through the group stage. That defeat remains Romania's only World Cup victory over England and one of the more memorable upsets of the tournament. Fans heading into the 2026 World Cup can follow any potential future meetings and track live scores at Bola 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How many times have England and Romania played at the World Cup?
England and Romania have played each other twice at the World Cup — in 1970 and 1998. Each team has won one of those meetings, and there have been no draws between the two sides at the tournament.
What was the score when Romania beat England at the World Cup?
Romania beat England 2-1 at the 1998 World Cup in France. The match was a Matchday 2 group stage fixture and remains Romania's only World Cup victory over England.
Did England beat Romania at the 1970 World Cup?
Yes. England beat Romania 1-0 in a Matchday 1 group stage match at the 1970 World Cup in Mexico. It was the first and, to date, England's only World Cup win against Romania.