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.
**Interview with Sports Analyst, Mark Fischer, on Austria vs. Serbia Nations League Clash**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Mark! Austria’s national soccer team is preparing to face Serbia in a crucial Nations League playoff. What are your thoughts on how Austria reached this point?
**Mark Fischer:** Thanks for having me! Austria’s journey to this playoff has been quite tumultuous. They were relegated from League A last year and had a challenging campaign in League B this season. The recent 1-1 draw against Slovenia was particularly disappointing, as it meant they missed out on direct promotion back to League A. Now, they’ll have to perform at their best against Serbia to secure their spot in the top division.
**Interviewer:** Austria’s last match against Serbia ended in a victory for them. Do you think that gives them a psychological edge going into the playoffs?
**Mark Fischer:** Absolutely. Winning 2-1 in their previous encounter before the European Championships certainly boosts their confidence. Players like Dusan Vlahovic are formidable opponents, but Austria showed they can compete at a high level. That victory can serve as a morale booster, reminding them that they can match Serbia’s intensity.
**Interviewer:** The first leg is set to take place in Vienna. How important is the home advantage for the Austrian team?
**Mark Fischer:** Home advantage typically plays a significant role in soccer. The fans will provide a supportive atmosphere, which can energize the players. The Ernst Happel Stadium is a historic venue, and playing in front of a home crowd can spur the team on, especially given the stakes of this match. However, they need to convert that energy into a performance on the pitch.
**Interviewer:** What do you think will be key for Austria to succeed in this two-legged playoff?
**Mark Fischer:** For Austria, solid defense will be crucial. They need to limit Serbia’s scoring opportunities, especially against talented attackers. On the offensive side, they must find a way to capitalize on their chances and maintain pressure throughout the match. Additionally, strategic substitutions and the ability to handle pressure situations will be vital, particularly in the second leg in Serbia.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, how does this playoff impact Austria’s preparations for the upcoming World Cup qualifiers?
**Mark Fischer:** This playoff is critical not just for immediate promotion but also for building momentum going into the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. A strong showing against Serbia could give them valuable experience and confidence. Conversely, if they fail to secure promotion, they’ll need to reassess their strategy moving forward. The draw for the World Cup qualification is just around the corner, and they’ll want to be in the best position possible.
**Interviewer:** Thanks for sharing your insights, Mark! We look forward to seeing how this playoff unfolds.
**Mark Fischer:** My pleasure! It’s going to be an exciting match-up, and I can’t wait to see how it plays out.
