Twenty-eight years is a long time to wait. That is how long it has been since Austria last played a World Cup match back in 1998. Some of their best players spent their entire careers missing out on the World Cup.
That drought ends this summer in North American and Austria is not showing up just to make up the numbers. They could be a sneaky threat that could surprise some folks.
Starting this summer, Dallas Stadium becomes one of the most watched venues on Earth, hosting some of the biggest nations in world football. But who are these teams? What’s their story? And which ones are actually worth showing up for?
That’s what this series is for.
Big D Soccer is breaking down every national team coming to North Texas for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — their history, their best players, and our honest take on how far they’ll go. Consider it your cheat sheet for sounding smart at the watch party.
Why you need to watch
Ralf Rangnick has built a tactically distinctive side that topped their Euro 2024 group ahead of the likes of France and the Netherlands. Yeah, let that sink in for a moment.
Their system relies heavily on a counter-pressure that makes life miserable for even the most tactically savvy teams.
This country is hungry for World Cup success and after missing out for the last 28 years, they’re ready.
How they got here
Austria qualified by finishing at the top of UEFA Group H, winning six and drawing one of their eight matches. They had a massive goal differential of +18.
World Cup History
Austria’s World Cup story is split into two very different eras. The old one is genuinely fascinating. They appeared in eight World Cup tournaments - 1943, 1954, 1958, 1978, 1982, 1990, and 1998, with 2026 marking their return to the tournament. Their best finish was a third place spot back in 1954, which included a 7-5 quarterfinal win over Switzerland, which is still the highest-scoring match in World Cup history.
Players to Watch
🔴⚪ David Alaba — CB, Free Agent (formerly Real Madrid) - The most decorated Austrian player in their history and is the emotional heart of his team. He missed the Euro 2024 tournament with a knee injury and has been limited at the club level (he’ll be without a club at the end of the June). He’s got four Champions League titles to his name but the World Cup appearance has eluded him until this year.
🔴⚪ Marko Arnautović — Forward, Red Star Belgrade - He’s Austria’s most-capped player and record goalscorer. At 36 years old, he still is physically imposing and technically brilliant. He’s the kind of striker that always finds a way to score, including a hat-trick in qualifying. Don’t be shocked if he finds a few goals in this tournament.
🔴⚪ Marcel Sabitzer — Midfielder, Borussia Dortmund - He is the engine that drives the Austria midfield. He’s brings an extensive Bundesliga experience along with over 100 caps for the national side. He’s not flashy, but he’s brutally effective.
| Date | Opponent | Venue | Kickoff (CT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 16 | 🇯🇴 vs. Jordan | San Fransico Stadium — Santa Clara, CA | 11:00 PM |
| ⭐ June 22 | 🇦🇷 vs. Argentina | Dallas Stadium — Arlington, TX | 12:00 PM |
| June 27 | 🇩🇿 vs. Algeria | Kansas City Stadium — Kansas City, MO | 9:00 PM |
Projected finish
Outside of dealing with the defending champions, Austria’s group is doable as long as Rangnick’s system clicks and the team finds their form. The match in Dallas is the defining game for them in the Group stage. If they can steal a point in that one, they could have a nice path to go further in the knockout round.
BDS Projected Finish: Round of 16
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