After a chastening Euro 2016 as dark horses, Austria outperformed their humbler expectations at Euro 2020, reaching the last 16 by beating North Macedonia and Ukraine for their first tournament victories since Italia 90.
For Euro 2024, anticipation levels lay somewhere in the middle. Das Team qualified in a solid yet unspectacular manner with a strong collective crafted by manager Ralf Rangnick, albeit one beset by devastating ACL injuries to Sasa Kalajdzic and captain David Alaba. Still, there's enough quality in this group.
Marcel Sabitzer has enjoyed a strong return to form following his disappointing loan at Manchester United this season, helping Dortmund to the Champions League final, while Konrad Laimer has emerged as a dependable player for Bayern. Elsewhere, Nicolas Seiwald, Kevin Danso and Christoph Baumgartner are hoping to announce themselves on the continental stage this summer.
Qualifying was positive for an Austrian side who only lost once in a group containing Belgium – and there's been an uptick in form since Rangnick took over this side. Like Sabitzer, he's out to prove his credentials following a tough time at Old Trafford
The Netherlands, France and Poland are a difficult first three fixtures, but the country's convincing win vs Poland has given them a fighting chance of playing a fourth. Can this group can rally together for their final group game and prove they're strong as a collective even without the mercurial talent of Alaba?
As ever, FourFourTwo will cover every Euro 2024 squad, details on how to watch every game, and provide the latest coverage as we report live from the European Championship.
Austria Euro 2024 squad
Austria Euro 2024 squad: The full 26-man team
- GK: Patrick Pentz (Brondby)
- GK: Heinz Lindner (Union Saint-Gilloise)
- GK: Niklas Hedl (Rapid Wien)
- DF: Stefan Lainer (Borussia Monchengladbach)
- DF: Stefan Posch (Bologna)
- DF: Max Wober (Borussia Monchengladbach)
- DF: Philipp Lienhart (Freiburg)
- DF: Kevin Danso (Lens)
- DF: Phillipp Mwene (Mainz)
- DF: Flavius Daniliuc (Red Bull Salzburg)
- DF: Leopold Querfeld (Rapid Wien)
- MF: Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund)
- MF: Florian Grillitsch (Hoffenheim)
- MF: Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig)
- MF: Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich)
- MF: Florian Kainz (Cologne)
- MF: Nicolas Seiwald (RB Leipzig)
- MF: Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen)
- MF: Alexander Prass (Sturm Graz)
- MF: Matthias Seidl (Rapid Vienna)
- FW: Mark Arnautovic (Inter Milan)
- FW: Michael Gregoritsch (Freiburg)
- FW: Andreas Weimann (West Brom)
- FW: Patrick Wimmer (Wolfsburg)
- FW: Marco Grull (Rapid Wien)
- FW: Maximilian Entrup (TSV Hartberg)
Austria Euro 2024 predicted XI and formation
Austria Euro 2024 squad numbers
Austria fixtures and results
March 23: Slovakia 0–2 Austria, Tehelné Pole, Bratislava, Slovakia
March 26: Austria 6–1 Turkey, Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna, Austria
June 4: Austria 2-1 Serbia, Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna, Austria
June 8: Switzerland 1-1 Austria, Kybunpark, St. Gallen, Switzerland
June 17: Austria 0-1 France, Merkur Spiel-Arena, Düsseldorf, Germany
June 21: Poland 1-3 Austria, Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany
June 25: Netherlands v Austria, Olympiastadion, Berlin, Germany
Austria manager: Ralf Rangnick
Ralf Rangnick, now 65, has always liked a top-to-bottom footballing system, and the OFB have afforded what Manchester United singularly didn't.
The players identify with familiar methods from their clubs and the supporters are back onside after enjoying some attack-minded performances, following Austria's defensive dirge in decades gone by.
Austria's star player
Christoph Baumgartner
Christoph Baumgartner will be Austria's focal point in Germany while David Alaba recovers from Injury. The affable 24-year-old Leipzig creator was already a key figure at Euro 2020, and he has only become more versatile. The owner of international football's fastest-ever goal is equally capable of a clever assist or classy finish.
He got on the end of a ball from Marcel Sabitzer vs France in Austria's opener but was unable to convert from ten yards as France goalkeeper Mike Maignan saved with his legs. The debate in the ITV studio over the chance had Ian Wright and Gary Neville at loggerheads.
Most likely to...
Start with a natural midfielder up front.
Least likely to...
Admit it's very good for a tournament when the host nation performs well.
What they hope will happen
A German coach helps to make Austria the most successful German-speaking side in a tournament held in Germany.
What will happen
A third-place finish in a tough group sneaks Austria into the last 16 again.
FAQs
How many players are Austria allowed to take to Euro 2024?
The Austria Euro 2024 squad will feature 26 players. UEFA initially wanted teams to be reduced to 23 for the tournament, but teams fought against that idea, arguing the increased schedules of players has increased their injury risk.
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