ÖFB-Team meets Argentina, Algeria, and Jordan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

Austria was drawn into Group J by former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal. The matches will take place in Kansas City, Santa Clara near San Francisco, and Dallas. The exact venues and kickoff times will be announced on Saturday evening. The ÖFB team will play its first FIFA World Cup match in 28 years on June 16 against Jordan in Kansas City or Santa Clara. On June 22, they will continue against Argentina in Arlington or Santa Clara, followed by a match on June 27 against Algeria in Kansas City or Dallas.

FIFA World Cup 2026: ÖFB Team with Third Duel Against Argentina

There have been two friendly matches against Argentina so far - in 1980, they suffered a 1:5 defeat in Vienna, and ten years later, they managed a 1:1 draw again in Prater. The South Americans are considered one of the top favorites for the World Cup and will likely feature Lionel Messi, although the 38-year-old has not yet confirmed his participation in the tournament. There has been only one encounter with Algeria - and its result led to one of the darkest chapters in ÖFB history. Austria won against the North Africans at the 1982 World Cup in Spain with 2:0 and subsequently entered a non-aggression pact with Germany, the later finalist, in a 0:1 match. As a result, both the ÖFB and DFB teams advanced, while Algeria was eliminated. The world spoke of the "Disgrace of Gijon."

Baumgartner: "Manageable Group" at FIFA World Cup 2026

For ÖFB team player Christoph Baumgartner, Algeria is "a team that plays good football and has a lot of quality offensively with (Riyad) Mahrez." The Leipzig professional spoke on Servus TV of a "very exciting" and "manageable" group. "We have to perform at a top level and are extremely excited when it starts." The match against Argentina holds a special appeal for Baumgartner. "Playing against Lionel Messi in what is probably his last World Cup is something special for us. We are really looking forward to it." About Jordan, the Lower Austrian said: "We know them the least, but we certainly expect something from that match." Austria will play against the World Cup newcomer for the first time. Due to the format, even a victory over the Asians, who will be playing their first World Cup match ever against the ÖFB team, could mean a ticket to the knockout stage.

FIFA World Cup 2026: Oesen Not Dissatisfied with the Draw

Stefan Oesen, assistant coach of Ralf Rangnick, expressed in ORF, like Baumgartner, that he was not dissatisfied with the draw. "In terms of names, we have an absolute highlight with the reigning world champion, which we are looking forward to. The two other opponents seem manageable by name, even though they have come through their qualifications confidently. If we play our game, we are competitive against any opponent," said the assistant coach.

Oesen also shared that the opponent analysis has already begun. It is to be expected that Algeria will play with a back four. The Jordanians, on the other hand, according to Oesen, rely on a back three and transition moments. Oesen's superior, Ralf Rangnick, along with a high-ranking ÖFB delegation, will remain in the USA in the coming days to find a suitable base camp. As the ÖFB supervisory board chairman Josef Pröll already stated before the draw, they want to make a decision regarding the base camp "in the next few days."

Mexico and South Africa to Open 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11

Mexico and South Africa will open the 2026 FIFA World Cup on June 11 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. The co-host was also drawn into Group A with South Korea and the winner of UEFA Play-off D (Czech Republic, Ireland, North Macedonia, or Denmark). The opening match will be a rematch. Mexico and South Africa also opened the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, where the two teams drew 1-1 in Johannesburg. The USA will face Australia, Paraguay, and the winner of UEFA Play-off C (Slovakia, Kosovo, Turkey, or Romania) in Pool D. The third co-host, Canada, will also compete with a European play-off winner. In this case, it is either Wales, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, or Northern Ireland. Additionally, in Group B, Switzerland and Qatar, the last World Cup host, await. France seems to have a particularly tough draw, as Group I also includes Senegal and Norway with top striker Erling Haaland.

All news about the 2026 FIFA World Cup

(APA/Red)

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