Austria‘s national football 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. For Austria, qualification for the 2026 World Cup finals in the USA, Mexico and Canada will not begin until June at the earliest. 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 are the key factors influencing Austria’s chances of success against Serbia in the upcoming Nations League play-off matches?
**Interview with Football Expert on Austria’s Upcoming Matches and Nations League Status**
**Editor:** Today, we’re joined by renowned football analyst Laura Schmidt to discuss the recent developments for Austria’s national football team as they prepare for their upcoming Nations League relegation matches against Serbia. Laura, thank you for joining us.
**Laura Schmidt:** Thank you for having me. It’s an exciting time for Austrian football.
**Editor:** Austria’s team recently drew 1-1 against Slovenia, resulting in their relegation to League B of the Nations League. How crucial is the upcoming play-off against Serbia for Austria?
**Laura Schmidt:** It’s extremely important. This play-off is essentially Austria’s chance to regain their status in League A. A return to League A not only boosts morale but also enhances their competitive standing heading into future international qualifiers, including the 2026 World Cup.
**Editor:** The first leg of the play-off is scheduled for March 20th in Vienna, where the Ernst Happel Stadium seems likely to host the match. How significant is home advantage in such high-stakes games?
**Laura Schmidt:** Home advantage can be pivotal in these situations, especially in a match with so much riding on it. The support from local fans in Vienna could provide the team with the necessary motivation. However, they must also manage the pressure that comes from those expectations.
**Editor:** Austria has had a recent victory against Serbia in a friendly match. How might that impact their mindset going into the playoff?
**Laura Schmidt:** That win will certainly boost confidence. Austria’s recent form against Serbia, coupled with the presence of star players like Dusan Vlahovic, means they will be cautious but also hopeful. They need to channel that success into a strong performance in both legs of the play-off.
**Editor:** With the qualification for the 2026 World Cup starting in June, how do you see Austria’s strategy evolving based on the outcomes of the Nations League matches?
**Laura Schmidt:** Winning the playoff would set a positive tone for the national team and help build a solid foundation heading into World Cup qualification. It’s about rebuilding confidence and strategy now. If they succeed against Serbia, it could allow Ralf Rangnick’s side to experiment and refine tactics ahead of the qualifiers.
**Editor:** The Austrian Football Association must confirm the venue soon. If they were to play in Linz instead of Vienna, would that change anything for their preparation or outlook?
**Laura Schmidt:** Playing in Linz, while still competitive, would be a big shift. The smaller venue might impact the atmosphere, and the less capacity could limit fan support, which is crucial in knockout situations. Regardless, the team needs to maintain focus and adapt to any situation.
**Editor:** Exciting times ahead! Thank you for your insights, Laura. We’ll be watching closely as Austria prepares for these key matches against Serbia.
**Laura Schmidt:** My pleasure! Let’s hope for some thrilling football ahead.