Football World Cup: Overview of Austria's Group Opponents

The draw for the FIFA World Cup has likely increased the anticipation for the tournament among some fans. Argentina, Algeria, and Jordan will face off against the Austrians in the group stage. Here is an overview of the ÖFB team's opponents.

The Three-Time World Champion: Argentina

Head Coach: Lionel Scaloni (since August 2018)

Most Famous Players: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami), Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan), Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea), Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid), Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool)

FIFA World Ranking: 2nd

World Cup Appearances (including 2026): 19

Greatest Achievements: World Champion 1978, 1986, and 2022, Runner-up 1930, 1990, and 2014, 16-time winner of the Copa America (most recently 2024)

Path to the World Cup: qualified directly as the winner of the South American qualification

International Match Record from ÖFB's Perspective: 2 matches - 0 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss (goal difference 2:6)

Previous Encounters: International match on May 21, 1980, in Vienna: Austria - Argentina 1:5; International match on May 3, 1990, in Vienna: Austria - Argentina 1:1

The Two-Time Africa Cup Winner: Algeria

Head Coach: Vladimir Petkovic (SUI/since February 2024)

Most Famous Players: Riyad Mahrez (Al-Ahli/RSA), Mohamed Amoura (VfL Wolfsburg), Rayan Ait-Nouri (Manchester City), Aissa Mandi (OSC Lille), Amine Gouiri (Olympique Marseille)

FIFA World Ranking: 35th

World Cup Appearances (including 2026): 5

Greatest Achievements: World Cup Round of 16 in 2014, Africa Cup Winner in 1990 and 2019

Path to the World Cup: Qualified directly as the winner of Africa Group G ahead of Uganda, Mozambique, Guinea, Botswana, and Somalia

Previous Encounter: World Cup 1982 in Spain, Group match in Oviedo: Austria - Algeria 2:0

The 2024 Asian Cup Finalist: Jordan

Team Coach: Jamal Sellami (MAR/since June 2024)

Most Famous Players: Mousa Tamari (Stade Rennes), Yazan Al-Naimat (Al-Arabi SC/QAT), Ali Olwan (Al-Karma/IRQ), Ehsan Haddad (Al-Hussein SC/JOR)

FIFA World Ranking: 66th

World Cup Appearances (including 2026): 1

Greatest Achievement: Asian Cup Finalist 2024 (1:3 final defeat against Qatar), World Cup Participation 2026

Path to the World Cup: Qualified directly as second in Asia Group 2 (third and final phase) behind South Korea and ahead of Iraq, Oman, Palestine, and Kuwait

No Previous International Matches between Austria and Jordan

(APA/Red)

This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.