Austria‘s national soccer team will face Serbia in the return leg in March in the fight for promotion back to the top division of the Nations League. This was the result of the UEFA play-off draw on Friday in Nyon.
The Austrians lost direct promotion to League A last Sunday with a 1-1 home draw against Slovenia. The ÖFB selection will play the first leg of the relegation at home on March 20th, the second leg will follow on March 23rd in Serbia.
The Serbs finished their Nations League group in League A in the fall in third place behind Spain and Denmark and left Switzerland behind. The Austrians won the most recent international duel with the team around star striker Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus Turin 2-1 in a test before the European Championships in Germany in Vienna in June.
Home game on March 20th probably in Vienna
The ÖFB must inform UEFA of the venue for the relegation first leg by next Friday (November 29th). In all likelihood it will take place in the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. The only possible alternative seems to be the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, which, however, only holds 16,500 and therefore significantly fewer spectators. “The probability is very high that we will play at one of the two locations,” explained ÖFB managing director Bernhard Neuhold.
Team boss Ralf Rangnick’s ÖFB selection was relegated from the A-League of the Nations League in 2022. In League B, after the final draw against the Slovenians, they finished second in the group behind Norway, which meant relegation against a third-place team in the top division. The World Cup qualification for the 2026 finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada does not begin until June at the earliest for Austria. The draw will take place on December 13th in Zurich. The ÖFB team is placed in pot one and escapes Europe’s strongest nations.
What challenges does Bernhard Neuhold foresee for the Austrian national team in their playoff match against Serbia in the Nations League?
**Interview with Bernhard Neuhold, ÖFB Managing Director**
*Moderator:* Welcome, Bernhard Neuhold! Thank you for joining us today to discuss the upcoming Nations League matches for the Austrian national soccer team. With a critical playoff against Serbia on the horizon, what are your thoughts on the team’s recent performance and their prospects moving forward?
*Neuhold:* Thanks for having me! It’s certainly an exciting time, though there’s also a bit of disappointment after our draw against Slovenia that cost us direct promotion to League A. We’ve had a challenging path in the Nations League, but the team is motivated and focused on the upcoming matches against Serbia.
*Moderator:* The first leg will take place in Vienna on March 20th. Can you share any updates about the venue selection?
*Neuhold:* Yes, we are currently in the process of deciding the venue for the first leg. It is highly likely that we will hold the match at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, which has the capacity to accommodate many fans. The alternative would be the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, but given its smaller size, we want to capitalize on the larger crowd potential in Vienna.
*Moderator:* It’s great to hear that Vienna is likely to host the match. Looking ahead to the second leg in Serbia on March 23rd, how important is it for the team to perform well away from home?
*Neuhold:* Performing well in Serbia is crucial. Matches on the road in such high-stakes situations can be very challenging, but the players have shown resilience before. We recently beat Serbia 2-1 in a friendly, which will certainly give us some confidence. However, competitive matches can be quite different, and we need to be fully prepared.
*Moderator:* What are you expecting from the Serbian team, especially with players like Dusan Vlahovic in their squad?
*Neuhold:* Serbia has a strong team, and Vlahovic is an exceptional striker. We respect their capabilities, but we also believe in our team’s talents. Under our coach, Ralf Rangnick, we’ve been working hard to improve our game and address any weaknesses. The key will be executing our game plan and capitalizing on the chances that come our way.
*Moderator:* Lastly, with the 2026 World Cup qualification round approaching, how will these Nations League matches affect the team’s preparation and morale?
*Neuhold:* These matches are crucial not just for our immediate goals in the Nations League but also for building momentum towards World Cup qualification. The draw is coming up on December 13th, and being in pot one is advantageous. A successful playoff series against Serbia will boost our confidence as we prepare for the qualifiers starting next June.
*Moderator:* Thank you, Bernhard. It sounds like an intense few months ahead for the Austrian national team. We appreciate your insights and wish the team the best of luck in the playoffs!
*Neuhold:* Thank you! We’re looking forward to the challenges ahead and hope our fans will rally behind us.
