Arnautovic chases World Cup dream: San Marino is our competitive victory!

Arnautovic chases World Cup dream: San Marino is our competitive victory!

San Marino, San Marino - Marko Arnautovic pursues a clear goal: participation in the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Austrian record national player has already participated in three euro tournaments, but he has been participating in a World Cup. He made this clear after the World Cup qualification game against Romania, which ended last Saturday. Austria won the game 2-1, but Arnautovic was unable to intervene in the last 30 minutes what team boss Ralf Rangnick noted after the game, but without questioning the importance of the striker for the team. The hunger for participation in the World Cup, which lasted in 1998, is great, and Arnautovic recognizes the importance of the upcoming challenges.

In the next qualification game, the Austrian team is to compete against San Marino, where Arnautovic and his team strive for a “competitive victory”. However, Arnautovic warns of underestimating the opponent and demands full concentration and fighting spirit from his teammates. "We have to take San Marino seriously," said the striker.
The World Cup participation is particularly important for Arnautovic because he plans to end his career after the tournament. In order to successfully complete this chapter, he sees the World Cup as the perfect festive end of his career.

career and records

currently Arnautovic still needs five goals to outperform Toni Polster's Torrecord. His role in the national team remains formative towards the end of his career, and hopes rest on his skills to lead Austria to the next big tournament. In the impressive history of Austrian football, the national team has so far participated in seven world championships and achieved third place in 1954, the best placement of the Austrians in the tournament. Austria took part in the euro a total of three times, but the World Cup participation is a coveted achievement that the team has so far been denied. In the 21st century, Austria could not qualify for a final round.

Before the upcoming qualification games, hope for a successful group must not be lost. The games against Romania, Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as against Cyprus and San Marino are on the program. These opponents could set the course for a possible participation in the 2026 World Cup, and the Austrian team will do everything possible to take advantage of this opportunity.

Ralf Rangnick, who has been looking after the team for three years, has already achieved a lot with the team and will now aim to take the next step towards the World Cup qualification. The combative mentality and personal responsibility of each player will be crucial to realize the dream of the World Cup.

For more information about the history of the Austrian national team at World Championships, including participation and results, visit the Wiki page on the WM History of the ÖFB .