New coaching team for Rangnicks ÖFB: The way to the 2026 World Cup begins!

New coaching team for Rangnicks ÖFB: The way to the 2026 World Cup begins!

The Austrian national soccer team faces important challenges in the World Cup qualification for the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Team boss Ralf Rangnick recently made changes in the coaching team to optimally prepare the team. The newcomers include 40-year-old goalkeeper coach Thomas Vollnhofer, who previously worked at SKN St. Pölten, and 43-year-old video analyst Daniel Ackermann. The latter previously worked as a game analyst at Borussia Dortmund and already has a connection to Rangnick from his time in Leipzig.

The personnel changes follow an intensive period in which Rangnick had to contest the UEFA Nations League playoffs against Serbia in spring 2025. As part of these conversions, Peter Perchtold was appointed U21 team boss and Stefan Oesen appointed assistant coach.

First World Cup qualification squad

Next Monday Rangnick also announced the first squad for the upcoming qualification games. Austria will meet Romania on June 7th in Vienna and on June 10th on San Marino. One goal is clear: the team wants to qualify for the World Cup in group H in group H. Since 1998 it has not been granted to the Austrian team to take part in a World Cup.

In this first squad, David Alaba is missing due to a meniscal tear. Xaver Schlager, who was previously injured, is available again. In addition, Rangnick has nominated six possible debutants, which could cause a fresh wind in the team. Another focus is on the goalkeepers, some of whom are still without international operations, including Tobias Lawal, Nikolas Polster and Nicolas Schmid.

changed environment and outlook

The list of the squad also brings changes: Gernot Trauner will be closed in the first game against Romania, but Marco Friedl celebrates his return on the line -up. Niklas Hedl, Alexander Prass and Kevin Stöger are also on the call list. Compared to the originally nominated squad for the games against Serbia, six actors are missing.

Preparation for the World Cup qualification starts on May 30th in Seefeld, instead of in Windischgarsten as originally planned. Rangnick was optimistic and emphasized at his last press conference that the opportunities for a successful performance in the World Cup qualification increase due to the good performance in the new year, even if there are uncertainties about his position as team boss.

With the first squad and the new trainer structure, Ralf Rangnick is determined to find the best possible solutions for the upcoming challenges and to bring Austrian football back to the international stage.

For more information on the trainer changes and the World Cup qualification, please visit the articles on , Oe24 and sueddeutsche .