Austria's struggle for participating in the World Cup: Today against San Marino!

Austria's struggle for participating in the World Cup: Today against San Marino!

Graz, Österreich - On June 10, 2025, an important date for the Austrian national soccer team is coming up. At 8:45 p.m., the team of coach Ralf Rangnick will play in the World Cup qualification game against the Letszte of the FIFA World Rankings, San Marino. After the successful 2-1 home win over Romania, Austria would like to win the second victory in the qualification for the 2026 World Cup. The last World Cup participation was over 25 years ago, most recently Austria was there in 1998.

After the opening game, which was won with a lot of self -confidence, the team went into this away game as a favorite. San Marino has no point in three games and comes with a goal difference of 1: 8. Nevertheless, the ÖFB team will tackle the game with the necessary seriousness in order to further improve the table situation. The Austrians with Romania and Cyprus currently share third place in Group H, while Bosnia-Herzegovina is at the top.

solemn framework

The atmosphere in which the game will take place is particularly important. The team will compete with a funeral to commemorate the victims of an attack at a school of Graz. Before the kick-off, a funeral minute will also be made, which also applies to the U21 test game against Hungary. The Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) has given its sympathy for the relatives and those affected.

The starting eleven made against San Marino will be crucial for success in the game. Ralf Rangnick has clear ideas about how his team should go into the game. The first two goals against Romania scored Michael Gregoritsch and Marcel Sabitzer, who could also play a key role in this game.

qualification goals

Austria has set itself the goal of wining the group. The group winner qualifies directly for the 2026 World Cup, while the second in the playoffs fights for a place. The way there is over several important games in this qualification round, including the second leg against San Marino on October 9, 2025 and the duels against Romania and Bosnia-Herzegovina in September. A look back at the last qualifications shows that Austria has failed in the past six attempts and thus also has the goal of cutting off this time more successfully.

Austria's squad has changed, and with the return of David Alaba after his injury, further reinforcement is expected. The previous Nation League playoff games also show that a team can be felt under Rangnick. With the aim of reaching the first World Cup participation since 1998, the team goes into the upcoming game against San Marino.

Whatever the result will be, one thing is certain: the focus is not only on sporting success, but also the emotional support of those affected and their relatives in this important game.