Tottenham face all-out war with European Football Federation after latest behind-the-scenes move
Tottenham have a squad decked with international talent.
Several Spurs players are expected to be in the England squad for the 2026 World Cup after they became the first European side to qualify earlier this month.
And there could be more England players in Thomas Frank’s squad if the upcoming January transfer window is utilised to its maximum.
In November, there’ll be plenty more World Cup spots decided with the next international break set to take place after Spurs play Manchester United at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 8 November.
Romania call up Radu Dragusin to November squad
One of the teams gunning for qualification is Romania.
They’re currently third in their qualifying group, three points behind second-placed Bosnia & Herzegovina and five points behind leaders Austria.
A second-place finish will help Romania reach the play-offs, but to do that, they’ll probably need to win their final two games, which are against Bosnia and San Marino.
| Team | Played | GD | Points | |
| 1. (Qualification) | Austria | 6 | +16 | 15 |
| 2. (Play-offs) | Bosnia | 6 | +8 | 13 |
| 3. | Romania | 6 | +5 | 10 |
| 4. | Cyprus | 7 | +2 | 8 |
| 5. | San Marino | 7 | -31 | 0 |
And they’ll also want their key players all playing, including Tottenham centre-back Radu Dragusin, despite his long-term injury woes.
Spurs blocked Romania from calling Dragusin up to their last squad, with the centre-back clearly not yet back to full match fitness.
He’s not kicked a ball in anger for the North London side since January, when he suffered an ACL injury in the Europa League win over Elfsborg.
And even though he’s yet to return to the Spurs fold, Romania have called him up again.
- Read more: Tottenham plan Radu Dragusin exit deal for January after latest roadblock – Spurs insider
Tottenham should deny Romania’s wishes again
The Mail on Sunday reported on 26 October that Dragusin has been included in Romania’s squad for their November games against Bosnia and San Marino.
It is understood that while Frank will be happy to see the 23-year-old back in action, he doesn’t want him rushed back too soon.
Mircea Lucescu accepted Tottenham’s decision to stop Dragusin being in their last squad – but will he be so accommodating this time when a World Cup spot is up for grabs?
Ultimately, it would be a ridiculous decision for Lucescu to call up Dragusin and expect him to play a role in such a high-stakes game against Bosnia.
Fine, San Marino. But it’s not like Dragusin will be pivotal to a win against them when they’re one of the worst teams in world football.
Spurs have to stop the Romanian Football Federation once again.
Whether they like it or not.
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