Austria at the FIFA World Cup 2026

History

Austria are making their ninth World Cup appearance in 2026, ending a 28-year absence since France 1998. Their finest hour came at the 1954 tournament in Switzerland, where they finished third after defeating Uruguay 3-1 in the third-place play-off. That tournament also featured Austria's legendary 7-5 quarter-final win over hosts Switzerland, still the highest-scoring match in World Cup history. Austria's other notable appearance was a fourth-place finish in 1934. Their previous appearances span 1934, 1954, 1958, 1978, 1982, 1990, and 1998. The 2026 edition is only their second World Cup qualification in the twenty-first century.

Qualification

Austria qualified by topping UEFA qualifying Group H unbeaten, accumulating 19 points from eight matches. The group also included Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Norway, and San Marino. Austria produced 22 goals while conceding only four, giving them one of the best defensive records of any UEFA group winner. Notable results included a 10-0 home demolition of San Marino. Bosnia and Herzegovina qualified as runners-up and advanced to the UEFA play-offs. Austria's direct qualification as group winners confirmed their first World Cup appearance in 28 years, under coach Ralf Rangnick who took charge in April 2022.

Preparation

Austria's official 26-man squad was announced by Ralf Rangnick on May 18, 2026. The squad features established names such as David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer, and Marko Arnautovic. In March 2026, Austria played warm-up friendlies against Ghana and South Korea, winning both. The squad gathered for World Cup preparation at the new ÖFB-Campus in Wien-Aspern in late May 2026, holding a public open training session followed by closed sessions before their final home warm-up: a friendly against Tunisia on 1 June 2026 at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion in Vienna, which Rangnick described as the ideal dress rehearsal because Tunisia's style mirrors opening opponent Jordan. Austria won that test 1-0 with ten men, Marcel Sabitzer scoring in the 63rd minute after Konrad Laimer was sent off for a handball as last man around the 37th minute; it was Austria's third win from three 2026 friendlies. Christoph Baumgartner was a late warm-up withdrawal with a thigh injury, and midfielders Patrick Wimmer and Florian Grillitsch again sat out as they recover from muscle injuries, though Rangnick expects both fit within about two weeks for the tournament. The squad is due to depart for its World Cup base camp in the Santa Barbara (Goleta) area of California on 4 June 2026, with a final test match planned in the greater Los Angeles area around 8-10 June. Rangnick has built Austria around a 4-2-3-1 system influenced by the high-pressing, vertical style associated with his Red Bull coaching philosophy. His ÖFB contract runs out after the World Cup and remains unsigned beyond it; in late May 2026 he met AC Milan officials in Vienna amid speculation linking him to the club, but said the ÖFB is his only contract partner.

Squad

Recent results

• 2024-03-23 — SVK 0-2 AUT (friendly)
• 2024-03-26 — AUT 6-1 TUR (friendly)
• 2024-06-04 — AUT 2-1 SRB (friendly)
• 2024-06-08 — SUI 1-1 AUT (friendly)
• 2025-06-07 — AUT 2-1 ROU (qualification)
• 2025-06-10 — SMR 0-4 AUT (qualification)
• 2025-09-06 — AUT 1-0 CYP (qualification)
• 2025-09-09 — BIH 1-2 AUT (qualification)
• 2025-10-09 — AUT 10-0 SMR (qualification)
• 2025-10-12 — ROU 1-0 AUT (qualification)
• 2025-11-15 — CYP 0-2 AUT (qualification)
• 2025-11-18 — AUT 1-1 BIH (qualification)
• 2026-03-27 — AUT 5-1 GHA (friendly)
• 2026-03-31 — AUT 1-0 KOR (friendly)
• 2026-06-01 — AUT 1-0 TUN (friendly)