Austria is heading into the 2026 World Cup with euphoria and self-confidence. Is coach Ralf Rangnick’s team actually a secret favorite?
Michael Gregoritsch immediately knew what was meant when the Austrian national team attacker was asked in the Sportschau interview whether “Team Austria” would be at the 2026 World Cup “Dark Horse” – an outsider who can surprise everyone with his performance.
Michael Gregoritsch: “We have a lot under the hood”
“It’s better to be called that than to be a team that is only there because there are now 16 more teams taking part than at the last World Cup.”said the 32-year-old attacker. “Perhaps, in terms of horsepower, we are a bit like an electric car. You think it’s quiet, but it can move forward very, very quickly. We have a lot under the hood, but we also have to bring it to the field.”
A statement that proves: Before their opening game at the 2026 World Cup against Jordan (June 17th, 6 a.m., live in the audio stream at sportschau.de), the Austrians’ chests are full and their mood is good.
Long dry spell for Austria
The anticipation in the Alpine republic is huge. After all, Austria is taking part in a final tournament for the first time since the 1998 World Cup. The last time the team survived the preliminary round was at the 1982 world tournament.
Gregoritsch scored the decisive goal in World Cup qualifying last November against Bosnia-Herzegovina (1-1). “I don’t need to beat it, it was the best thing that ever happened to me”said Gregoritsch. “The emotions, the moments after the game – that remains.”
Michael Gregoritsch (from) celebrates the equalizer against Bosnia-Herzegovina
The team is due to this success “Family” the striker continued. Now they want to continue to grow together in the USA, Canada and Mexico in order to celebrate success.
There are good reasons for a broad chest: Austria has perhaps never been as well-manned as at the 2026 World Cup, even if the injury-related loss of Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig) hurts. David Alaba (Real Madrid), Konrad Laimer (FC Bayern), Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Xaver Schlager (RB Leipzig), “old star” Marko Arnautovic (Red Star Belgrade) and Gregoritsch (FC Augsburg) – the mix is right, the team has class and a lot of routine.
Coach Ralf Rangnick formed a functioning collective out of all these individualists. With a points average of 1.98, the 67-year-old is the most successful national coach in Austria’s history (among all coaches with at least ten international games).
Full throttle football under Ralf Rangnick
Rangnick, who extended his contract with the Austrian Association right before the start of the tournament until the 2028 European Championship, plays football that is uncomfortable for the opponent. In other words: Attack and maximum pressing, after winning the ball you head towards the opponent’s goal at high speed and the goal should be completed within the shortest possible time. Rangnick’s approach is in stark contrast to the controlled positional play under his predecessor Franco Foda.
Ralf Rangnick thanks the fans
Above all, what Rangnick has implemented is a new self-image, said Gregoritsch. “We are never just attuned to the opponent, but always do our thing. He taught us that intensity always beats tactics”said Gregoritsch about Rangnick. “He also taught us to believe in ourselves. In his second game we kept France at bay and played 1-1. Everyone was happy. But then he was very angry because we didn’t win the game. That was a wake-up moment for us because we realized: He really believes in us.”
It is fitting that Rangnick decided against a commitment to AC Milan and in favor of continuing his work as national coach. “I can sit here and say with a good feeling that this is the right decision.” One thing is clear: Rangnick still has a lot of plans for the ÖFB selection: “We certainly don’t go to the World Cup and have the Olympic thought: ‘Being there is everything.’ We want to show what we’re made of.”
Austria believes in it
In any case, Team Austria has sparked a lot of euphoria at home. In a survey by ORF, 32 percent of those surveyed said that they see Austria as the next world champion. European champion Spain followed in second place (25 percent), followed by runner-up world champion France (16 percent).
Now Jordan waits. Anything other than a clear victory at the start would be a bitter disappointment for Rangnick and his team. The other opponents in World Cup Group J are world champions Argentina (June 22) and Algeria (June 28).
Ralf Rangnick: “Get as far as possible”
The declared first goal is, logically, to move forward. Rangnick has probably already ticked this off internally. Because the national coach was already looking further ahead. After the group phase it will be about that “To surprise. Many nations don’t really have us on their radar yet”. His resulting demand: “Get as far as possible in the knockout phase.” In other words: to put the “horsepower on the road” and live up to the reputation as a “dark horse” – or alternatively as an “e-car”.