How the ÖFB Team Qualifies for the 2026 FIFA World Cup

The ÖFB team plays against Cyprus in Limassol on Saturday and against Bosnia in Vienna on Tuesday. ÖFB head coach Rangnick explained last week that two, four, or six points from these games would secure the first group place and thus qualification for the 2026 World Cup. Even with a defeat against Cyprus, a home win against Bosnia could be sufficient.

Even One Point Could Mean the Ticket to the 2026 World Cup

If the ÖFB team loses to Cyprus, a draw against Bosnia would also be sufficient, provided Bosnia does not win against Romania and Romania does not win their last two games. Otherwise, Austria must not be overtaken in goal difference. Even with a draw against Cyprus and a defeat against Bosnia, the ÖFB team could travel to the 2026 World Cup in North America - if Bosnia loses to Romania and the Romanians do not win so decisively against San Marino on Tuesday that they overtake the ÖFB team in goal difference. Currently, the Austrians are eleven goals better than Romania.

The ÖFB team wants to avoid such a nail-biter and would prefer to secure the starting place on Saturday. This would be the case if Austria wins against Cyprus and Bosnia does not achieve a home win against Romania about three hours later. Two wins at the end would make all calculations obsolete and might have a pleasant side effect.

ÖFB Team Would Be in the Second or Third Pot for the 2026 World Cup Group Draw

As it stands, Austria will be drawn from the second of four pots in the event of participation in the 2026 World Cup, but this position can probably only be maintained with six points from the upcoming two matches. Even then, slipping into the third pot is still possible because FIFA is apparently considering ranking the play-off winners according to the world ranking of the highest-ranked team in their path. If this actually happens, Austria would likely lose one or two places. The FIFA world ranking, which will be published on November 21, is decisive for the group draw on December 5 in Washington.

All News on the 2026 World Cup

(APA/Red)

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