Austria at a glance
Austria compete in Group J with Argentina, Algeria, and Jordan. The Öesterreichers are a rising European power, having qualified for consecutive Euro tournaments and showing improvement under recent management. Austria are major underdogs in a group led by defending champions Argentina.
Group J fixtures
- Austria vs Jordan — Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara (17 June, 04:00 UTC).
- Argentina vs Austria — AT&T Stadium, Arlington (22 June, 17:00 UTC).
- Algeria vs Austria — Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City (28 June, 02:00 UTC).
Key players to watch
- Christoph Baumgartner (MID) — Hoffenheim midfielder; energy, pressing, and ball progression.
- David Alaba (DEF) — Real Madrid defender; elite ball-playing ability and leadership define Austria's build-up.
- Marcel Sabitzer (MID) — Bayern Munich midfielder; technical quality and press resistance.
- Sasa Kalajdžić (FW) — Stuttgart striker; physicality and finishing offer goal-scoring routes.
- Florian Grillitsch (MID) — Hellas Verona midfielder; defensive stability and pressing.
- Patrick Pentz (GK) — Rapid Vienna keeper; distribution and shot-stopping support Austrian transitions.
Predicted starting lineups
Official starting lineups will be confirmed closer to kick-off. The XI below reflects the predicted selection based on current form and squad news.
Official lineups confirmed 1 hour before kick-off.
Austria squad overview
Goalkeepers: Patrick Pentz, Alexander Schlager, Cican Stankovic. Defenders: David Alaba, Gernot Trauner, Philipp Lienhart, Lukas Ullman. Midfielders: Marcel Sabitzer, Christoph Baumgartner, Florian Grillitsch, Sander Coopman. Forwards: Sasa Kalajdžić, Karim Onisiwo, Marko Arnautovic, Konrad Laimer.
Tournament path
Austria are Group J underdogs. A top-two finish unlikely but possible. More realistically, Austria target wins over Jordan and hope for an upset against Algeria. If Austria finish third and qualify as a best-third-placed team, knockout progression is available.
Strengths
- Rising tactical awareness — Austria's pressing and shape have improved significantly under recent management.
- Ball-playing defense — Alaba is elite; full-back progressors create width and retention.
- Midfield athleticism — Baumgartner and Sabitzer press intensely and recover quickly.
- European tournament experience — recent Euro qualification runs build tournament pedigree.
Weaknesses
- Argentina mismatch — defending champions are vastly superior; Austria will likely lose.
- Striking depth — Kalajdžić offers physicality but lacks elite finishing consistency.
- Squad size — Austria lack world-class depth at every position.
- Tournament inexperience — first World Cup run for many players; pressure unknown.
Predictor strategy
Austria are massive underdogs throughout. Lock Argentina win but expect tight scorelines (1-0 or 2-1 possible). Austria vs Jordan and Algeria matches are winnable — expect narrow Austrian victories (2-1 likely). Kalajdžić is a premium pick if Austria attack; Alaba offers defensive consistency.