After 28 years in the wilderness, Austria returned to the World Cup their first appearance since 1998. Ralf Rangnick was the man tasked with guiding them back.
Austria return to a World Cup after a 28-year absence. Ralf Rangnick's transformative tenure since 2022 made the team Europe's most aggressive pressing side. The squad is built around David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer, Konrad Laimer, and a Bundesliga-heavy midfield base.
Austria experienced an inconsistent group stage, mixing moments of promise with frustrating setbacks. In the knockout rounds, they fell to Spain in the Round of 32. Spain proved to be a step too far, and Austria's campaign came to a decisive end in the Round of 32.
1won1drawn2lost
6scored9conceded
Failed to score in 2 of 4 matches just 1 win in 4 matches.
The standout performer for Austria at the 2026 World Cup.
5yellow
1.2per match
Posch booked twice.
Marko Arnautovic led Austria's attack with 2 goals at the 2026 World Cup.
Rangnick, 67, has coached Austria since June 2022. The German tactician famous for his gegenpressing philosophy at RB Leipzig, Hoffenheim, and a brief interim spell at Manchester United turned Austria into one of Europe's most intense pressing teams and led them to the Euro 2024 round of 16. Leading Austria at his first World Cup just 1 win in 4 under Rangnick.
