Romania Coach Mircea Lucescu Hospitalized After Fainting at Training Camp

Mircea Lucescu, the 80-year-old head coach of the Romanian national football team, fainted during a technical meeting at the Mogoșoaia training camp on Sunday, March 29, 2026, and was transported by ambulance to a hospital in Bucharest for investigations. The incident occurred during the session preceding the team's final training before a scheduled departure to Slovakia, where Romania was set to play a friendly match on Tuesday, March 31. The Romanian Football Federation issued an official statement confirming the episode and said Lucescu's condition was stable. According to sources cited by Stirile ProTV, it remained unclear at the time of reporting whether Lucescu would travel with the team to Bratislava.

Two SMURD crews rushed to Mogoșoaia base The initial emergency call to the 112 service was reportedly placed for a possible cardiorespiratory arrest, though early information indicated the episode was a fainting spell, according to Observator News as cited by Libertatea. Two SMURD crews responded urgently to the training base, where the national team's own medical staff had already administered first aid on the spot. The FRF statement noted that the prompt intervention of medical personnel allowed Lucescu to be stabilized quickly. He was then transported to a hospital unit in the capital for thorough investigations and specialist monitoring, in line with standard medical protocols. „At this moment, the coach's condition is stable. However, according to the medical protocols in force and to eliminate any risk, Mircea Lucescu was transported to a hospital unit in the Capital for thorough investigations and specialist monitoring” — Romanian Football Federation via Ziare.com The federation added it would provide further details as new information became available.

Coach's medical history stretches back to 2009 Lucescu has a documented history of significant health issues spanning nearly two decades. In 2009, he underwent heart surgery in Donetsk and had a stent implanted. In 2023, he had surgery for coxarthrosis on his left hip, and in 2025 he underwent a further operation on his right hip, where a prosthesis was fitted, according to Adevarul. Earlier in 2026, he was admitted to the Bucharest University Hospital for treatment under observation, and subsequently underwent investigations in Belgium before receiving medical clearance to lead the team in a playoff match against Turkey. From his hospital bed in February, Lucescu sought to reassure the public. „I am fine, there is no reason for concern. Please stay calm, it was exaggerated very much. It is simply a treatment that I have to follow under observation” — Mircea Lucescu via Mediafax.ro

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Slovakia friendly hangs in the balance for Lucescu Romania was scheduled to depart for Slovakia by plane at 18:00 on Sunday, according to Stirile ProTV sources, but Lucescu's participation in the trip was uncertain. Adevarul reported, citing Fanatik, that the coach would most likely remain under observation for several days rather than travel to Bratislava. The friendly match against Slovakia was set for Tuesday, March 31, 2026, with kickoff scheduled at 21:45. According to Libertatea, Romania and Slovakia previously met at Euro 2024, with that encounter ending in a 1-1 draw, and Romania finishing the group stage in first place. The web search results also referenced a Guardian article from March 25, 2026, in which Lucescu spoke about illness and his commitment to the World Cup cycle, under the headline "I can't leave like a coward." 80 (years) — Lucescu's age at time of medical incident

Mircea Lucescu is one of the most decorated football managers in Romanian history and has had a career spanning decades across clubs in Romania, Italy, Turkey, and Ukraine. He was appointed head coach of the Romanian national team and has led the side through recent World Cup qualifying and playoff campaigns. Romania and Slovakia met at Euro 2024 in Germany, a match that ended 1-1, with Romania advancing from the group stage in first place, according to Libertatea.