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The Austria World Cup 2026 squad marks their return to the world stage under the leadership of Ralf Rangnick
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The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week. Become a Member in Seconds Unlock instant access to exclusive member features. You are now subscribed Your newsletter sign-up was successful Want to add more newsletters? Five times a week Four Four Two Daily Fantastic football content straight to your inbox! From the latest transfer news, quizzes, videos, features and interviews with the biggest names in the game, plus lots more. Once a week . .. And it’s LIVE! Sign up to our FREE live football newsletter, tracking all of the biggest games available to watch on the device of your choice. Never miss a kick-off! Join the club Get full access to premium articles, exclusive features and a growing list of member rewards. The Austria World Cup squad will complete a long overdue return to the World Cup when they take on Jordan in June. Their World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign was notable for a 10-0 win over San Marino in October 2025 and Austria will fancy their chances of progressing from the group stage despite being drawn against one of the favourites in the form of defending champions Argentina. The 2022 winners will have one of the strongest squads in the tournament but Austria are more than capable of causing big problems for both Algeria and Jordan. Austria have established themselves in the European Championship, reaching the knock-out rounds in each of the last two tournaments, but they haven't qualified for the World Cup since 1998. A defeat and two draws sent them home early from France. The Austrian Bundesliga has been producing young talents for years now but the bulk of the senior squad tends to come largely from the German version. Rangnick can call upon a wealth of solid professionals from over the border but it could be the youngsters playing domestically that define Austria's tournament. Real Madrid’s David Alaba is Austria's captain and has had to spend most of his international career fulfilling a different tactical role than he does at club level. Borussia Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer has evolved into a formidable leader for club and country. Sabitzer moved from Rapid Vienna to Red Bull Salzburg as a young player. He's one of many Austrian internationals educated within the Red Bull multi-club system. Rangnick led the football operations for the MCO for years and his national team selections reflect its influence in the game. The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Ralf Rangnick, now 67, has been in coaching for more than 40 years. The Austrian national team job is the German’s first permanent head coach role outside his home nation but his dugout CV barely scratches the surface. Rangnick has managed Stuttgart, Hannover, Schalke and Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga but has also followed an unorthodox path since the turn of the century, taking on a temporary role in England with Manchester United in 2021 as well as leading the expansion and development strategy for Red Bull. He was appointed as Franco Foda’s successor in the Austria job in 2022 and has secured qualification for two consecutive major tournaments. None of his predecessors can make the same claim.
He’ll be 37 years old by the time the World Cup begins but Marko Arnautovic will finally get his moment at the greatest show on Earth and it seems like exactly the kind of stage that will suit him. There are other major stars in the Austria squad but Arnautovic is a hogger of the spotlight and goes into the World Cup having scored twice as many goals in qualifying as teammate Michael Gregoritsch. The former Inter Milan and West Ham United forward is a giant of modern Austrian football. He holds the records for the most caps and the most goals, including eight in Group H to help take Das Team back to the World Cup finals. Arnautovic has had a remarkable, fascinating career. He’ll be confident of going out on a high. Chris is a Warwickshire-based freelance football writer specialising in West Midlands football, the Premier League, the EFL and the J. League. He is the author of the High Protein Beef Paste football newsletter and owner of Aston Villa Review. He supports Coventry Sphinx. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
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