ÖFB team starts World Cup qualifier: pressure, expectations and new talents!

ÖFB team starts World Cup qualifier: pressure, expectations and new talents!

Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Wien, Österreich - Today, today marks an important moment for the Austrian national team, which is preparing for the upcoming challenges in qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The qualification officially begins with a opening game against Romania in the Ernst Happel Stadium, which is scheduled for June 7, 2025. In the run -up to this exciting phase, however, the general mood has changed around the team.

a year ago, the ÖFB team traveled to the final EM test in Switzerland, where the preparation was described as sensational. The players, led by Christoph Baumgartner, showed impressive lightning starts, which the hopes for the Euro 2024 nourished. But expectations have changed since then. Many fans feel healthy skepticism because the performance of the euro is perceived between "very okay" and "a little disappointing". This reluctance is also reinforced by the weak performance in the last do-or games and the modest record in the Nations League, where there is only a 5-1 home win against Norway, such as 90minuten.at) reported.

preparations for the World Cup qualification

Austria was drawn into the group H at the draw in Zurich, in which Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus and San Marino are also represented. The group winners qualify directly for the World Cup, while the group runners -up in playoffs fight for four more starting positions. The expectations are that Austria is the favorite in this group could enable a comeback in the World Cup finals after 25 years, since the country last participated in a World Cup in 1998, such as [Laola1.at] (https://www.laola1.at/de/Red/fussball/wm-2026/news/wm-qualifika-das-s-s-die-oefb-gange-/

Another crucial point are the games that will be held from June 7, 2025. In addition to the start against Romania, the Austrians will meet San Marino on June 10th and in September encounters against Cyprus and Bosnia-Herzegovina will follow. The last matchday of the qualification is scheduled for mid -November 2025 and includes second legs against all group opponents.

the view of the opponents

The opponents of the ÖFB team show interesting differences in their international statics. Romania ranks in the 38th place in the FIFA world rankings with a squad value of over 100 million euros, while Bosnia-Herzegovina is 74 and has a similar value value. Cyprus is noted in 130 with a value of around 20 million euros, and San Marino has only won one victory in the past 20 years, but can look forward to promotion in League C.

Ralf Rangnick, the team boss, strives to further expand the positive developments that are noticeable in the team. However, none of the previous teams has the difficulty of leaving the past performance in the do-or-the-games, which was associated with internal problems in the ÖFB and was stressful for players and leadership. A bright spot could be the return of David Alaba after his injury, which he is aiming for in the course of 2025.

The ambivalent performance and the depressed mood could make a new euphoria necessary to meet expectations and ensure successful qualifications. Austria has big goals in mind, but the path requires both unity in the team and support from the fans.