Football World Cup Qualifiers: Austrian Football Team Faces Romania, Bosnia, Cyprus

In the qualification for the 2026 Football World Cup, the Austrian national team will face Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Cyprus, and San Marino, as the draw in Zurich revealed. The eight matches will take place on double dates between June and November 2025. The group winner will directly qualify for the World Cup in North America, while the runner-up will compete in the play-off in March 2026.

Rangnick's Wish for World Cup Qualification Fulfilled

Team manager Ralf Rangnick said in an initial reaction: "We will take every opponent very seriously and prepare as best we can. Of course, we also want to win this group." He was very confident, the German emphasized. "It will be important that we are reasonably complete." His wish not to meet a team that he has played against since taking office in June 2022 has been fulfilled. "And also in terms of travel, they are good opponents." His players are spared an away trip like the one in November to Kazakhstan, which is about seven flight hours away.

Austrian Team Manager Shows Respect for Romania Ahead of World Cup Qualification

The Romanians, drawn from pot two, made it through in a curious constellation at the European Championship in Germany - they won the group with four points ahead of the Belgians, Slovaks, and Ukrainians who were all on equal points. They were then eliminated in the round of 16 with a 0:3 loss against the Netherlands. "Their performance at the European Championship, that they won their group ahead of Belgium, shows that they are a strong playing and counter-attacking team," said Rangnick. The previous ten encounters with Romania ended from an Austrian perspective with three wins, five draws, and two losses. The most recent Nations League matches in 2020 resulted in a 2:3 home loss and a 1:0 away win. In 2009, Austria won 2:1 in Klagenfurt in the World Cup qualification, and secured a 1:1 draw in Bucharest.

Bosnians Not Spoiled for Success Ahead of Football World Cup Qualifiers

The Bosnians were relegated from the highest Nations League class last autumn, among other things after a 0:7 defeat against Germany, their last compulsory victory dates back 14 months. In the 2018 Nations League, Edin Dzeko and Co. won 1:0 in Zenica, the return match in Vienna ended in a goalless draw. The World Cup qualifying matches in 2001 resulted in a 1:1 draw in Bosnia and a 2:0 victory for the host team in Prater, the overall balance is three draws and one victory and one defeat each. "An interesting opponent who will bring many spectators to Vienna," said Rangnick.

Football World Cup Qualifiers: Austrian Team Also Against Cyprus and San Marino

Against Cyprus, the Austrian Football Association's statistics show six victories and one draw. The draw (1:1) occurred in the most recent encounter in February 2005 during a friendly tournament on the Mediterranean island, the subsequent penalty shootout was lost by the Austrians. The remaining six matches took place exclusively within the framework of European Championship or World Cup qualifiers and ended with Austrian victories. Against San Marino, the Austrians prevailed in two European Championship qualifying matches in 1998, winning clearly both times (7:0 at home, 4:1 away).

Rangnick's proteges are considered favourites based solely on the world ranking positions - Austria is 22nd, Romania 38th, Bosnia 74th, Cyprus 130th and San Marino 210th and thus last. If they finish the pool in first place, the first World Cup participation since 1998 would be perfect. The match dates for the World Cup qualifying groups are expected to be published on Saturday morning. The allocation to a group of five means that the Austrian team will exclusively play competitive matches next year. Before the eight qualifying matches, the Nations League play-off against Serbia will take place in March. If they had been drawn into a group of four, they would have had to look for two friendly match opponents for June.

(APA/Red)

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