Austria national football team
The Austrian Football Association formed on the 18th of March 1904 within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Max Scheuer, a Jewish defender for the national team in 1923, later perished at Auschwitz during the Holocaust. Under Hugo Meisl, the squad earned the nickname Wunderteam or Miracle Team during the 1930s. On the 16th of May 1931, Austria became the first continental European side to defeat Scotland. The team reached fourth place in the 1934 FIFA World Cup after losing 0, 1 to Italy in the semi-finals. They finished with a silver medal at the 1936 Olympic Games. Matthias Sindelar served as the star player of this dominant era.
Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany through the Anschluss on the 12th of March 1938. FIFA received notification that the ÖFB had been abolished on the 28th of March of that year. Players were forced to integrate into the German national team for the 1938 World Cup. Karl Zankl coached the team from the 19th of August 1945 until his death on the 3rd of October 1945 while holding the position. Edi Bauer took over from the 3rd of October 1945 and managed 11 matches before stepping down on the 4th of March 1948. Walter Nausch led the squad from the 1st of September 1948 until the 15th of November 1954. The team achieved third place in the 1954 World Cup under Nausch's guidance. A notable victory occurred against England at Wembley Stadium in 1965.
The 1970s and 1980s marked a revival with Austria reaching the second round in both the 1978 and 1982 World Cups. They secured a famous victory over West Germany during the 1978 tournament. In 1998, the team exited the group stage, marking their seventh appearance and last World Cup participation until recently. Austria qualified automatically as co-hosts for UEFA Euro 2008 alongside Switzerland. This was the first time they played in the European Championship. The nation entered a resurgence in 2016 following successful qualification campaigns for Euro 2016, Euro 2020, and Euro 2024. As of June 2024, the team finished first in Group D ahead of France and the Netherlands before losing to Turkey in the Round of 16.
During the 1982 World Cup in Spain, Austria faced West Germany in the final match of the group stage. Horst Hrubesch scored for West Germany after ten minutes of furious attack. The two teams then kicked the ball around for 80 minutes with few attempts to attack. This match became known as the non-aggression pact of Gijón. Algeria had won two matches including a surprise over West Germany but was eliminated based on goal difference. They conceded two late goals in a 3, 2 win over Chile. Austria and Northern Ireland were eliminated by losing to France in the second round group stage. All future tournaments would see last group matches played simultaneously due to this event.
Hans Krankl served as coach from the 21st of January 2002 until the 28th of September 2005. He made the decision in 2004 to switch kits so that red was the first choice. Marcel Koller managed the team from the 1st of November 2011 until the 1st of November 2017. His squad qualified for the UEFA Euro 2016. Franco Foda took charge from the 1st of January 2018 until the 30th of March 2022. Ralf Rangnick has been head coach since the 29th of April 2022. As of April 2024, Lars Kornetka and Peter Perchtold serve as assistant coaches alongside Onur Cinel. Michael Gspurning acts as the goalkeeping coach while Stefan Oesen serves as match analyst. The current squad includes players called up for 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina on 15 and the 18th of November 2025 respectively.
Marko Arnautović holds the record with 130 caps and 47 goals between 2008 and present. David Alaba follows with 111 caps and 15 goals from 2009 onward. Andreas Herzog earned 103 caps and scored 26 goals during his tenure from 1988 to 2003. Toni Polster achieved 95 caps and 44 goals between 1982 and 2000. Gerhard Hanappi recorded 93 caps and 12 goals from 1948 until 1964. Karl Koller played 86 times and scored five goals between 1952 and 1965. Friedrich Koncilia made 84 appearances without scoring from 1970 to 1985. Bruno Pezzey earned 84 caps and four goals between 1975 and 1999. Hans Krankl scored 34 goals in 69 matches from 1973 to 1985 while also serving as head coach.
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Common questions
When was the Austrian Football Association formed?
The Austrian Football Association formed on the 18th of March 1904 within the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Max Scheuer, a Jewish defender for the national team in 1923, later perished at Auschwitz during the Holocaust.
What nickname did the Austria national football team earn under Hugo Meisl?
Under Hugo Meisl, the squad earned the nickname Wunderteam or Miracle Team during the 1930s. Matthias Sindelar served as the star player of this dominant era and the team reached fourth place in the 1934 FIFA World Cup after losing 0 to 1 to Italy in the semi-finals.
How many caps and goals does Marko Arnautović have for the Austria national football team?
Marko Arnautović holds the record with 130 caps and 47 goals between 2008 and present. David Alaba follows with 111 caps and 15 goals from 2009 onward while Andreas Herzog earned 103 caps and scored 26 goals during his tenure from 1988 to 2003.
When was the Anschluss that annexed Austria into Nazi Germany?
Austria was annexed into Nazi Germany through the Anschluss on the 12th of March 1938. FIFA received notification that the ÖFB had been abolished on the 28th of March of that year and players were forced to integrate into the German national team for the 1938 World Cup.
Who is the current head coach of the Austria national football team as of April 2024?
Ralf Rangnick has been head coach since the 29th of April 2022. As of April 2024, Lars Kornetka and Peter Perchtold serve as assistant coaches alongside Onur Cinel while Michael Gspurning acts as the goalkeeping coach.