Schöpf expects a "very cool" Football World Cup

Alessandro Schöpf knows the conditions in North America. The Tyrolean is the only current ÖFB team player who has already played in Major League Soccer (MLS). He spent more than two years with the Vancouver Whitecaps before joining WAC last winter. Schöpf can hope to return to his old place of work. "I believe the whole tournament will be very, very cool," said the 31-year-old about the World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.

A lot will be invested in the final round next summer. "The conditions on site, whether hotels, training conditions, or stadiums, will be top-notch. It was already like that when I played there. They really place a lot of value on it," explained Schöpf. The Ötztal native would be happy to return to Vancouver or Canada - whether for a game or even as the ÖFB team base. "For me, it was a wonderful time there, I gained great experiences."

Schöpf represented Bundesliga

The national team comeback succeeded for the midfielder only after he returned to Austria. "No idea if it has ever happened like this before, but it's incredible," said Schöpf. "I was practically not involved for three and a half years. Now I can hope that I might be at the World Cup." The central player appeared in three of the final four World Cup qualifying matches - in the decisive game on Tuesday against Bosnia (1:1) as the only ÖFB outfield player from the domestic Bundesliga.

At the 2016 European Championship, Schöpf - then a young hopeful from Schalke 04 - scored Austria's only tournament goal in the final group match against Iceland (1:2). "Of course, the European Championship was also something beautiful and big for me back then, especially with the goal." But for a footballer, there is nothing more beautiful than playing in a World Cup. "That is, of course, a huge dream, a huge goal for every player. I will do everything to be able to be there."

World Cup not on the doorstep

The anticipation is palpable for everyone. "When you see how long it has been for the small football nation of Austria, then you first realize what it means to really be able to go there and experience it again," explained Schöpf. He hopes that many local fans will make the journey to Austria's first World Cup since 1998. "Even if it's a long way." It's a bit less far from Wolfsberg to Vorarlberg. Instead of facing the giants of world football, Schöpf will first face SCR Altach in the league with WAC on Saturday (5:00 PM).

(APA/Red)

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