Austria's football hope: World Cup qualifier against Romania!

Austria's football hope: World Cup qualifier against Romania!

Austria's national soccer team played their first World Cup qualification game against Romania in the Ernst Happel Stadium on June 7, 2025 and won 2-1. The atmosphere in the sold -out stadium, in which 48,500 spectators found space: was excellent. With an impressive choreography before the kick-off, the Austrian fans caused a sensation and showed a clear message to the Presidium of the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) during the game: "Anyone who compares Rangnick with Foda has no idea about football. Ralf’s path continues!" This banner referred to earlier statements by Presidium members regarding the coach Ralf Rangnick and Franco Foda and their balance sheet

In addition, numerous Romanian fans were present in the stadium who supported their team voice and also brought Bengalen with them. The latest record of encounters between Austria and Romania shows that Austria has achieved three victories, five draws and two defeats in the previous 10 duels. The last games took place in 2020, with the home game 2: 3 and the away game 1-0 ended.

opponent in the World Cup qualification 2026

Austria goes with an ambitious objective in the World Cup qualification for 2026, which will take place in the USA, Canada and Mexico. The draw showed that the team in group H against Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus and San Marino had to compete. The group winner qualifies directly for the World Cup, while the runner-up has the chance to secure a place in the play-off in March 2026. Austria counts as a favorite in this group, but has had difficulties in the past, especially with Bosnia-Herzegovina-the balance sheet against this opponent includes three draws, a victory and a defeat.

The other games of the World Cup qualification are set as follows:

• 10.06.2025: San Marino VS Austria
• 06.09.2025: Austria VS Cyprus
• 09.09.2025: Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Austria
• 09.10.2025: Austria VS San Marino
• 12.10.2025: Romania VS Austria
• 15.11.2025: Cyprus VS Austria
• 18.11.2025: Austria VS Bosnia-Herzegovina

The starting position and squad information

Austria's footballer has had a hard time getting into the final round of a World Cup in recent years - the last time this was the case in 1998. The ÖFB team failed in the qualification rounds six times in a row. Therefore, returning to the World Cup is a big goal. The current squad, which was announced for the qualification games, records some departures: David Alaba is missing, but could get back into the team in 2025 after his cruciate ligament tear. New players like Nikolas Veratschnig and Thierno Ballo get their chance, while top performers such as Marko Arnautović, Konrad Laimer and Marcel Sabitzer are considered supports.

The current table of the qualification group shows that Austria is currently in third place with three points, on the same with Romania and Cyprus. Bosnia-Herzegovina leads the group with nine points, while San Marino is still waiting for the first point.

The team boss Ralf Rangnick is optimistic about the upswing of the team. Before the World Cup qualification game, Austria was already able to gain positive experiences in the Nations League, even if the first place in the group was ultimately made on Norway. Future challenges are pending and the pressure on the team is growing.

While the World Cup qualification for Austria is now in full swing, hope for a successful return to the world stage is noticeable-after 28 years of lack of participation in the World Cup, a success for the ÖFB team would be a historical moment.

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