World Cup qualification “Now very important”
© Imago
Marko Arnautovic looks at an approaching end to his career in the Austrian national team and increases the pressure on a successful World Cup qualification-at least for personally. After the tournament in North America in 2026, he would probably end his career as a team player, said 36 -year -old striker. Until then, he still has the opportunity to displace Toni Polster from the throne of the best ÖFB scorer in history.
“It is now very important for me that we qualify for the World Cup. After the World Cup, I will surely stop in the national team, and that’s why I want to do everything we can to qualify for the World Cup,” said Arnautovic, according to “ORF”, after the important victory of the Austrians in the World Cup qualification against Romania (2-1). On Tuesday, the ÖFB team will be against San Marino in the second game.
In September, among other things, the largest competitor in Group H: Bosnia-Herzegovina. The team led by captain Edin Džeko (39) won only victories in his first three games – also against Romania – and already seems to divide the Romanians (only one victory from three games). Only the group winners qualify for the World Cup tournament 2026 in North America. The second play in a 16 teams strong playoff by four more starting places. “You shouldn’t underestimate anyone and not San Marino,” Arnautovic is quoted. “We also have to tackle this game with 110 percent.”
Arnautovic has long been a record international with 123 missions. For a further top rank at the ÖFB-as a top scorer-only five goals are missing. Toni Polster still holds the best value of 44 goals. Arnautovic scored for his 39th goal in October, when he contributed two goals to the brilliant 5-1 against Norway. The Viennese had included in his ten European championship games twice. The former Bremener has never been there at a World Cup.