The Austrian national team is currently preparing their lineup for the World Cup 2026, marking their return to the prestigious global event.
The squad, led by Ralf Rangnick, secured their spot in the finals for the eighth time. This achievement came after they topped Group H in the UEFA World Cup 2026 qualifying matches. While their 10-0 victory against San Marino in October 2025 grabbed headlines, the crucial factor was the four points they earned in matches against Bosnia and Herzegovina, who finished second in the group.
While the next generation includes players from Austria’s Bundesliga, the majority of the Austrian squad tends to come from the German league. Rangnick has access to a wide array of skilled professionals playing in Germany, but the key to Austria’s success in the World Cup will be their ability to unlock genuine brilliance.
The team is captained by David Alaba of Real Madrid. Throughout his international career, Alaba has often taken on tactical roles different from those he typically plays at the club level. Additionally, Marcel Sabitzer of Borussia Dortmund has developed into a strong leader for both his club and his country.
Although Sabitzer began his career at Admira Wacker and Rapid Vienna, he is one of several Austrian internationals who were trained within the Red Bull multi-club system. The influence of this system is evident in Rangnick’s selections. The head coach himself played a significant role at Red Bull for several years.
His most recent squad featured four players currently playing for either Red Bull Salzburg or RB Leipzig, but the impact of this group on Austria’s current national team is substantial. This influence will be put to the test for the first time in the World Cup finals in 2026.
Squad
Austria World Cup 2026 squad: the November selection
- GK: Alexander Schlager (Red Bull Salzburg)
- GK: Nikolas Polster (Wolfsberger AC)
- GK: Patrick Pentz (Brondby)
- GK: Nicolas Kristof (Elversberg)
- DF: Marco Friedl (Werder Bremen)
- DF: Kevin Danso (Tottenham Hotspur)
- DF: Stefan Posch (Como)
- DF: David Alaba (Real Madrid)
- DF: Leopold Querfeld (Union Berlin)
- DF: Philipp Lienhart (SC Freiburg)
- DF: Phillipp Mwene (Mainz 05)
- DF: Alexander Prass (TSG Hoffenheim)
- MF: Xaver Schlager (RB Leipzig)
- MF: Nicolas Seiwald (RB Leipzig)
- MF: Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund)
- MF: Florian Grillitsch (Braga)
- MF: Marco Grull (Werder Bremen)
- MF: Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen)
- MF: Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig)
- MF: Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich)
- MF: Patrick Wimmer (VfL Wolfsburg)
- MF: Alessandro Schopf (Wolfsberger AC)
- FW: Marko Arnautovic (Red Star Belgrade)
- FW: Michael Gregoritsch (Brondby)
- FW: Nikolaus Wurmbrand (Rapid Wien)
- FW: Raul Florucz (Union Saint-Gilloise)
Fixtures and results
November 18, 2025: Austria 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria
November 15, 2025: Cyprus 0-2 Austria, Alphamega Stadium, Limassol, Cyprus
October 12, 2025: Romania 1-0 Austria, National Arena, Bucharest, Romania
October 9, 2025: Austria 10-0 San Marino, Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria
September 9, 2025: Bosnia and Herzegovina 1-2 Austria, Bilino Polje Stadium, Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina
September 6, 2025: Austria 1-0 Cyprus, Raiffeisen Arena, Linz, Austria
June 10, 2025: San Marino 0-4 Austria, San Marino Stadium, Serravalle, San Marino
June 7, 2025: Austria 2-1 Romania, Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria
March 23, 2025: Serbia 2-0 Austria (3-1 agg.), Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia
March 20, 2025: Austria 1-1 Serbia, Ernst-Happel-Stadion, Vienna, Austria
Manager
Who is Austria’s manager?
Ralf Rangnick, currently 67 years old, has dedicated more than four decades to coaching. While the Austrian national team position represents his first permanent head coach role outside of Germany, his extensive coaching experience goes well beyond the surface.
Rangnick has managed several Bundesliga teams, including Stuttgart, Hannover, Schalke, and Hoffenheim. However, since the beginning of the 21st century, he has also pursued an unconventional path, taking on a temporary position with Manchester United in England in 2021 and leading the expansion and development strategy for Red Bull.
He was appointed as Franco Foda’s successor for the Austria job in 2022, and he has successfully guided the team to qualify for two consecutive major tournaments. None of his predecessors have achieved this feat.
Star player
Who is Austria’s star player?
By the time the World Cup starts, Marko Arnautovic will be 37 years old. Nevertheless, he will finally have his chance to shine at the world’s premier tournament, which appears to be an ideal stage for his talents.
While the Austria squad includes other prominent players, Arnautovic tends to command attention. As he heads into the World Cup, he has scored twice as many goals in the qualifying matches as his teammate Michael Gregoritsch.
The former Inter Milan and West Ham United forward is a significant figure in modern Austrian football. He holds the record for the most international appearances (currently at 130) and the most goals scored (47), including eight in Group H, which helped Das Team return to the World Cup finals. Arnautovic has enjoyed an exceptional and remarkable career. He is likely confident that he can finish his career on a high note.
Best XI
