22 Jun
Mon
•12:00
AT&T Stadium • Arlington
27 Mar
Fri
•21:00
Lusail Stadium • Doha
16 Jun
Tue
•20:00
Arrowhead Stadium • Kansas City
22 Jun
Mon
•12:00
AT&T Stadium • Arlington
27 Jun
Sat
•21:00
AT&T Stadium • Arlington
16 Jun
Tue
•21:00
Levi's Stadium • San Francisco
22 Jun
Mon
•12:00
AT&T Stadium • Arlington
27 Jun
Sat
•21:00
Arrowhead Stadium • Kansas City
Austria arrives at the 2026 World Cup as one of the toughest nuts to crack: relentless pressing, no-holds-barred duels, meticulous tactical work and lightning-fast vertical transitions that punish any mistake in their opponent’s half. Lining up against them is the reigning world champion, famous for its possession-based style, quick passes, sharp link-up play in the final third and enough individual brilliance to unlock even the tightest games. It’s a showdown of technique versus discipline, creativity against collective order. In a group stage where every point can make the difference between going through or going home early, the clash between the South American side and the Central European outfit will be played on a knife-edge: neither team can afford to hold back, and every 50-50 ball and every counterattack will feel like a final.
The reigning world champion heads into 2026 carrying the legacy of their 1978, 1986 and 2022 titles, led by recent icons such as Lionel Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Rodrigo De Paul, all used to delivering under extreme pressure. Austria, meanwhile, can boast a third place at the 1954 World Cup and consistently strong showings in European competitions, backed by elite players like David Alaba, Marcel Sabitzer and Marko Arnautović. It’s a matchup between a historic giant and a European side at the peak of its competitive powers. Don’t just watch it on TV: lock in your tickets and experience live this thrilling duel between the South American champions and the Central European contenders.