Romania vs. USA: Kickoff, Team News and Nations Cup Standings | Nov. 11, 2026

Checked: Nov. 11, 2026, at 6:33 p.m. in Bucharest, Romania (Eastern European Time, EET, UTC+02:00; 4:33 p.m. UTC).

Romania is scheduled to host the USA in the 2026 World Rugby Nations Cup on Saturday, Nov. 14, at Stadionul Național Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest. The Romanian Rugby Federation lists kickoff at 6:30 p.m. Bucharest time (EET, UTC+02:00), which is 4:30 p.m. UTC and 4:30 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time in the UK. The fixture and venue are also listed by World Rugby and Sky Sports.

The teams enter the match from different positions in their pools: the USA is first in Pool A with 19 points and a 4-0 record, while Romania is fourth in Pool B with 11 points after four matches. Both sides are still playing for pool position in a format that crowns one champion in each pool. No final matchday lineups or result are available yet; the official match center’s lineup section remains unfilled.

Destaques

• Kickoff is set for Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m. Bucharest time (EET, UTC+02:00), or 4:30 p.m. UTC.
• The match is at Stadionul Național Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest; World Rugby lists Anthony Woodthorpe as referee.
• The USA leads Pool A with 19 points; Romania is fourth in Pool B with 11 after four games each.
• Romania has named an expanded 37-player group, but the matchday teams have not been posted on World Rugby’s match page.

When is Romania vs. USA, and where is the match?

The World Rugby Nations Cup fixture is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 14, 2026, at Stadionul Național Arcul de Triumf in Bucharest. The Romanian Rugby Federation says the match starts at 6:30 p.m. in Bucharest. Romania will be on EET (UTC+02:00) on that date; daylight saving time ended on Oct. 25, so the summer offset of UTC+03:00 does not apply. The listed kickoff is 4:30 p.m. UTC. Sky Sports also lists the fixture at 16:30 UK time, which is GMT (UTC+00:00) in November.

World Rugby’s match page names Anthony Woodthorpe as referee, with Saba Abulashvili and Saba Makharadze as assistant referees and Paulo Duarte as television match official. The tournament page says every Nations Cup match is available live for free on RugbyPass TV; viewers should check regional access before kickoff.

Have Romania and the USA announced their lineups?

Not the final matchday teams, based on the official match center at the time of this check. Its lineups area does not yet show starters or substitutes. Romania’s Rugby Federation announced a 37-player extended squad on Nov. 9, made up of 21 forwards and 16 backs. The federation said Alexandru Colev and Andrei Mahu joined the training camp, while Matthew Tweddle returned to his club. An extended squad is not the same as the matchday 23, so it should not be presented as the final team sheet.

The USA matchday lineup is also not displayed on World Rugby’s fixture page. Confirmed starters, captaincy for this match and the substitute bench should be added only after an official team announcement. The match officials are published, but those appointments do not indicate either coach’s selection.

Romania’s extended squad information is available from the Romanian Rugby Federation. The official World Rugby match center is the place to check when the final lineups are released.

What does the result mean for the Nations Cup standings?

World Rugby’s standings show the USA at the top of Pool A with 19 points from four wins. Romania sits fourth in Pool B with 11 points from one win, one draw and two losses. The figures are the table published at the time of this article’s check and may change as the remaining fixtures are played.

The Nations Cup divides 12 teams into two pools. Each team plays every team in the opposite pool across the July and November windows, and the team finishing first in each pool becomes a champion. Because Romania and the USA represent different pools, this meeting contributes to both teams’ own pool records: a win and any bonus points would affect the standings. The match is one of the final fixtures in the schedule, so every competition point can matter, but the current table alone does not determine the eventual champions.

For the USA, a win would preserve its unbeaten run and first-place position in Pool A at least through this round. Romania needs points to improve its place in Pool B, where Georgia, Portugal and Spain are currently ahead. The exact effect on final title chances depends on results elsewhere and the teams’ remaining fixtures.

How have the teams performed in their latest matches?

The USA came through a close 28-26 win over Hong Kong China on Nov. 8. World Rugby’s report says Kaleb Geiger scored a late try to tie the match, then Christopher Hilsenbeck converted to give the Eagles the lead. It was the USA’s fourth straight Nations Cup win.

Romania most recently lost 43-38 to Tonga in Bucharest on Nov. 6. World Rugby described it as a six-try performance by each side, with Tonga holding on after Romania’s late scores. That result left Romania fourth in Pool B in the official table. These recent scores provide context, not a prediction: the matchday selections and on-field outcome remain unknown.

The main confirmed storyline is the contrast in current pool records: the USA arrives unbeaten, while Romania will try to turn a competitive but losing result against Tonga into a home response. Whether the hosts can convert territory and scoring chances, and whether the Eagles can maintain their late-match composure, are questions for kickoff rather than settled outcomes.

Frequently asked questions

What time does Romania vs. USA start?

Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Bucharest time on Nov. 14 (EET, UTC+02:00), which is 4:30 p.m. UTC.

Where can fans watch the match?

World Rugby says the Nations Cup is streamed live for free on RugbyPass TV. Availability may vary by territory.

Are the final team sheets available?

Not on the official World Rugby match page at the time checked. Romania has named a 37-player extended squad, but that is not the final matchday team.