Austria vs Romania Preview & Prediction | 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying (UEFA)
by Alex Lawes ·
Updated
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Austria have been brilliant in the last 12-18 months before falling short at the crunch moment, as they now prepare to take on a Romania side, capable of highs and lows themselves.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Not televised / US – FOX Sports
How to watch online: UK – Amazon Prime / US – Disney+
Key stats
- The only previous World Cup qualifying matches between these teams were in the qualifying campaign for the 2010 finals (Austria 2-1 Romania and Romania 1-1 Austria).
- Austria have lost only three of their last 14 World Cup qualifying matches at home (W9 D2).
- Austria scored four goals in both of their last two World Cup qualifying matches at home.
- Romania have lost only two of their last nine World Cup qualifying matches (W5 D2).
- Romania have won their last two World Cup qualifying matches away from home.
Austria vs Romania prediction
Coached by former Manchester United interim boss Ralf Rangnick, Austria qualified for UEFA EURO 2024 well and were good in all four games they played before a Round of 16 exit to Turkey. They were then excellent in the group stages of the UEFA Nations League before being denied promotion to League A due to a 3-1 aggregate loss to Serbia in their playoff.
They now face a Romania side that were also reasonably good at UEFA EURO 2024, also reaching the Round of 16. They were then magnificent in League C Group 2 of the UEFA Nations League with six successive victories in the autumn. However, they began European qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with surprise loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Romania but things right and showed their attacking prowess with a 5-1 win over San Marino a few days’ later. Austria play a high risk style of football and remain favourites but it should be a fun watch at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna.
Austria vs Romania tip: Austria to win & both teams to score
