Poland's Nations League trip to Romania: referee Sebastian Gishamer makes his debut in the fixture

In brief

• Austrian referee Sebastian Gishamer has been appointed to the Romania vs Poland Nations League match, his first involving the Polish national team.
• Poland needs a win in Bucharest on 12 November 2026 to keep its chances of second place and a play-off berth alive.
• Romanian supporters have downplayed Robert Lewandowski's visit.

Referee appointment

UEFA has assigned Sebastian Gishamer to lead the Nations League meeting between Romania and Poland. The Austrian official has never before refereed a game featuring Poland's national side, according to Polish Radio 24 (Jest decyzja ws. sędziego na mecz Polski z Rumunią. Pierwszy raz w historii – polskieradio24.pl). Polish media also note that he is known to some of the Polish players, though the reports do not say where or when those contacts arose (Znamy sędziego meczu Rumunia - Polska w Lidze Narodów. Dobrze zna się z polskimi piłkarzami – gol24.pl).

Stakes for Poland

Poland's position in the group is tight. Coach Jan Urban's side has little room for error and cannot afford another dropped point. A win in Bucharest is the main requirement if Poland want to keep alive a shot at second place and a play-off berth for promotion to the top tier (Rumunia - Polska: Gdzie oglądać, transmisja, zapowiedź, przewidywane składy i kursy – flashscore.pl). Flashscore described the atmosphere at the Romanian venue as hostile.

Schedule and broadcast

The match falls on 12 November 2026 and is part of the group phase of the 2026/2027 Nations League. Poland's remaining fixtures in the division include a game against Sweden (Kiedy gra reprezentacja Polski? Gdzie oglądać mecze? – sportowefakty.wp.pl). Live coverage is available on Polish television and online streaming, according to the sports broadcasters' listings (Rumunia - Polska: kiedy i o której mecz Ligi Narodów? Gdzie oglądać na żywo w TV i online? – sport.tvp.pl) ([Gdzie oglądać mecz Rumunia - Polska? Kiedy i o której grają Polacy? [TRANSMISJA] – Sport.pl](https://www.sport.pl/pilka/7,65037,33128489,gdzie-ogladac-mecz-rumunia-polska-kiedy-i-o-ktorej-graja.html)).

Romanian reaction

Romanian supporters have downplayed the visit of Robert Lewandowski, with some describing him as a player who does not carry the status of a global superstar (Przyjazd Lewandowskiego nie ekscytuje Rumunów. "To nie supergwiazda jak Messi" – SportoweFakty). Romanian media commentary has also centred on the fact that the home side's players want to redeem a recent poor run of results (Tak Rumuni widzą Polaków przed starciem w Lidze Narodów – Przegląd Sportowy).