Austria team profile - FIFA World Cup 2026
In the build-up to FIFA World Cup 2026 in USA, Canada and Mexico, we shine a spotlight on Austria.
FIFA World Ranking: 24
Confederation: UEFA
Who is Austria’s head coach for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Austria’s head coach for FIFA World Cup 2026 is Ralf Rangnick. He has been in charge of the Austrian national team since May 2022 and is the first head coach to guide the country to a men’s World Cup since Herbert Prohaska in 1998.
Who is Austria’s captain for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Austria’s captain for FIFA World Cup 2026 is David Alaba. Capped over 100 times by his country, Alaba has led Austria since 2021 and this will be his first World Cup.
How many times have Austria participated in a FIFA World Cup before 2026?
Seven – 1934, 1954, 1958, 1978, 1982, 1990, 1998
What is Austria’s best performance at a FIFA World Cup?
Fourth place – 1934
How did Austria qualify for FIFA World Cup 2026?
Austria qualified for FIFA World Cup 2026 after finishing top of their group in the UEFA qualification stage. Teams were drawn into 12 groups with Austria placed in Group G alongside Bosnia-Herzegovina, Romania, Cyprus and San Marino
After eight group games, Austria finished on 19 points with six wins, a draw and only one defeat, two points above Bosnia-Herzegovina in second-place. They won their first five matches in a row, including a 10-0 thrashing of San Marino, which saw Marko Arnautovic score four times. Unsurprisingly, he went on to finish as Austria’s top-scorer in qualifying with eight goals.
Confirmation of Austria’s FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification came on November 18, 2025 after a 1-1 draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina in the final round of group matches. Defeat would’ve seen Bosnia-Herzegovina qualify automatically instead as Group G winners and Austria forced to compete in the second-round play-offs.
Who are Austria’s star players?
Marko Arnautovic (Crvena Zvezda) will be 37 years old come the start of FIFA World Cup 2026, but Austria’s all-time top goalscorer remains one of his countries star names and will be looking to drive them through the group stage with his goals as he successfully did in qualifying. Midfielder Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund) boasts plenty of experience in big matches, having competed in the UEFA Champions League final back in 2024 and has won major trophies with the likes of Bayern Munich and Man Utd.
Captain David Alaba (Real Madrid) is perhaps the highest-profile player among the squad when considering his glittering career. A versatile, goalscoring defender, Alaba has been named Austrian Footballer of the Year ten times and has proven a perennial champion in club football, winning four UEFA Champions Leagues, ten German Bundesliga titles (with Bayern Munich) and both the FIFA Club World Cup and FIFA International Cup with current club Real Madrid.
Who is in Austria’s group at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Austria are in Group J, which consists of the following teams:
Argentina
Algeria
Austria
Jordan
Austria’s Group J fixtures are as follows:
Austria vs Jordan: Tuesday June 16, 2026 – 12:00am ET (Wednesday), 5:00am UK (Wednesday)
Argentina vs Austria: Monday June 22, 2026 – 1:00pm ET, 6:00pm UK
Algeria vs Austria: Saturday June 27, 2026 – 10:00pm ET, 3:00am UK (Sunday)
All kick-off dates are based on a local kick-off time
Where is Austria’s base camp at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Harder Stadium, UC Santa Barbara – Goleta, California
Expert prediction for Austria’s chances at FIFA World Cup 2026
Austria have established themselves as a hugely impressive side under Ralf Rangnick’s high-voltage style of play which involves a significant press off the ball (also known as gegenpressing) and speedy transitions from defence to attack. Offensively, this team could prove a significant success at FIFA World Cup 2026, as demonstrated in qualifying when they racked 22 goals across eight games.
However, whilst they should prove heavy favourites against Jordan in Group J and are more than capable of defeating Algeria, defending champions Argentina will likely wind up too strong for Austria, which makes a second-place finish a distinct possibility.
Unfortunately for Rangnick’s side, the draw has not been kind to the Group J runners-up, who will face a Round of 32 match in Los Angeles against the winners of Group H, which would most likely be European champions Spain. Should the scenario of a Spain vs Austria fixture occur in the first round of the knockout stage, it’s hard to see the Austrians advancing.
What round will Austria reach at FIFA World Cup 2026? Round of 32
