The FIFA world rankings are decisive, but the results of the Nations League are included. “We are currently in pot one in the rankings. We definitely want to stay there,” said ÖFB team boss Ralf Rangnick. The fact that the Austrians have a good chance is also due to the new World Cup qualifying format: twelve groups now require twelve group leaders. The winner of each pool qualifies directly for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico and Canada, while the runner-up has to go into a big play-off.
Europe has 16 starting places available at the expanded giant tournament in North America instead of the previous 13. Four of the tickets will not be awarded until March 2026. The twelve group runners-up and the best four teams in the Nations League that do not finish in the top two in the regular qualifiers will play in four paths in knockout games with semi-finals and finals. If the direct ticket does not work out, Austria should at least be represented in this remaining place exchange shortly before the start of the World Cup. Rangnick’s contract runs as long as there is at least a theoretical chance of making it to the World Cup – and if successful, it will be extended until the finals.
APA/Georg Hochmuth If the team successfully qualifies, Rangnick will remain team boss until after the World Cup finals
World Cup draw at the end of 2025
Austria has not taken part in a men’s World Cup since 1998. Qualification for 2026 may not begin for more than a year and could be completed in six games and less than three months. The 55 UEFA associations – without the suspended Russia there would be 54 – will be drawn into groups of four and five. The groups of four will start in September 2025. For the groups of five, there are two additional double dates available at the end of March and the beginning of June.
The draw is expected to take place at the end of November or the beginning of December – but in any case only after the Nations League group phase has ended. Since many teams still have to play the new promotion and relegation matches in the Nations League from March 20 to 23, consideration must be given to which teams will be in groups of four and which in groups of five. The Nations League quarter-finals newly introduced in League A also complicate the procedure.
debate
How should the ÖFB team’s performance at the European Championships be assessed?
From Slovenia to Norway
Austria starts the Nations League on September 6th in Ljubljana, and three days later they will also play away in Oslo against Erling Haaland and his Norwegians. In October, a home double against Kazakhstan (October 10th) and Norway (October 13th) in Linz will follow, before the group phase is concluded with a guest appearance in Almaty in eastern Kazakhstan (November 14th) and a home appearance against Slovenia just three days later.
The ÖFB must decide where to play against the Slovenians by mid-July. According to managing director Bernhard Neuhold, Vienna, Klagenfurt and Linz are possible. Theoretically, it is possible not to have an international match in Vienna in the autumn, Neuhold confirmed to the APA. In the spring, both home international matches, the European Championship tests against Turkey (6:1) and Serbia (2:1), took place in the federal capital.
The first team meeting after the European Championship exit will take place in Carinthia in two months. The ÖFB selection will be based in Pörtschach before the Nations League kick-off and will train in Klagenfurt. From Carinthia they will travel by bus to Ljubljana, from where, according to Neuhold, they will travel directly to Oslo on the first or second day after the game. The October training course will take place mostly in Windischgarsten, and they will only travel to Linz for the games.
