Austria's football: Ready for the World Cup - hopes high than ever!

Austria's football: Ready for the World Cup - hopes high than ever!

Austria's national football team goes with high expectations in the World Cup qualification for the World Cup 2026. On Saturday, the ÖFB selection will compete in the sold-out Ernst Happel Stadium against Romania. In view of a feasible group H, which also includes Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus and San Marino, Austria is a favorite for group victory and thus a ticket for the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Austria's last World Cup participation has been back since 1998 when the team was represented in France, and many fans dream of returning to the big football stage.

The urgency for a positive development is high after the last failed qualifications. The ÖFB team was unsuccessful six times in a row. "It is high time," emphasizes sports reporting and refers to the need for players to prove themselves in this qualification. For first place in Group H, only the first places of the twelve groups can qualify directly for the World Cup. The runner-up has to be held in a play-off that will be held in March 2026, while as a third-placed person, due to the National League performance, there is still a chance to achieve a play-off place.

The challenge of the group H2>

group H is characterized by various challengers: Bosnia-Herzegovina currently leads the table with 6 points, followed by Romania and Cyprus (3 points each). Austria has zero points in the account after the first matchday. A look at the respective squad values shows that this makes a difference in quality clear between the teams. Romania with a squad value of over 100 million euros is clearly ahead of Austria, which has to rely on his talented legionaries, including Marko Arnautović, Konrad Laimer and Marcel Sabitzer. A drop of bitterness is David Alaba's injury -related failure, which could possibly return by the end of 2025.

The upcoming qualification games include:

• 10. June: away game against San Marino
• 6. September: home game against Cyprus
• 9. September: away game in Bosnia-Herzegovina
• 9. October: home game against San Marino
• 12. October: away game in Romania
• 15. November: away game in Cyprus
• 18. November: home game against Bosnia-Herzegovina

meaning for the future of football

The chances of a successful qualification are higher than ever and a possible return to the World Cup would not only euphorize fans, but also herald a new era in Austrian football. Team boss Ralf Rangnick has already explained that he could step down in a new failure, which also increases the pressure on the players. The veterans in the team, including Arnautović and Alaba, face a possible last chance of participating in the World Cup, which also increases motivation.

Austria's football has a passionate story that is characterized by successful experiences in the past, such as: B. the "Cordoba generation" and the Bamberg, which took part in the 1982 and 1986 World Championships. The last World Cup participation in 1998 was an unforgettable experience for many Austrians, and the longing for it has not subsided over the years. The pressure to repeat historical achievements is considered a permanent goal in public.

The World Cup qualification is not only a sporting competition, but also an opportunity for Austria to return from a year-on-road dry spell and to revitalize the nation's passionate football experience. With the support of the fans in the back and the right attitude, the way to participate in the 2026 World Cup could be paved.