Unsplash/Emilio Garcia
For the first time in this millennium, Austria’s national soccer team is heading to a World Cup since 1998. The 1–1 game against Bosnia became very tense. Michael Gregoritsch scored in the 77th minute to cancel out Haris Tabaković’s early goal. With the draw in the sold-out Happel Stadium, Ralf Rangnick’s team secured first place in the group and can now look forward to the World Cup draw on December 5.
Head coach Rangnick made three changes compared to the 2–0 win in Cyprus: the no-longer-suspended Phillipp Mwene returned as left back, Konrad Laimer moved to the right side of the defense, pushing Stefan Posch to the bench. On the right wing, Patrick Wimmer started instead of Romano Schmid, and in central defense Rangnick kept faith in Philipp Lienhart and Kevin Danso. The striker, as usual, was Marko Arnautović. Bosnia head coach Sergej Barbarez fielded Edin Džeko and Tabaković as a strike duo.
One point was enough
The huge pressure of the match could be felt throughout the entire stadium. Simply not losing, that’s not the easiest starting position for battered soccer souls. It was a game that would shape the legacy of an entire soccer generation. Captains Arnautović and Džeko shared a warm embrace, and then it began, on the second attempt: dutiful Portuguese referee João Pinheiro called back the kickoff due to an Austrian false start, a rare sight.
Bosnian fans were out in force, but red-white-red was still in the majority, even if that was hardly audible during the anthems. Austria’s players had credibly insisted they wanted not just a draw but a win, and the early minutes backed that up. Bosnia maintained a long-distance relationship with the ball, and Wimmer sent the first hit chance into the second tier (7’). More promising was Christoph Baumgartner’s header after Mwene’s deflected cross, but it also sailed well over (9’).
Reactions from Politics
Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen called it a “historic success for Austrian football.” “Our ÖFB team worked together toward one goal, and they made it. True red-white-red team spirit. We are all very proud and happy for the players,” he wrote on Bluesky. “Let’s go to the World Cup!”
Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker congratulated via X: “Sensational! Austria is going to the 2026 World Cup again after 28 years! Heartfelt congratulations to our national team for this fantastic achievement – all of Austria is proud of you and your strong qualifying performance!”
