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 strategies is the Austrian Football Association implementing to strengthen the national team’s performance during the Nations League playoffs against Serbia?
**Interview with Bernhard Neuhold, Managing Director of ÖFB (Austrian Football Association)**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Bernhard. The latest UEFA draw has set the stage for Austria’s critical matches against Serbia in the Nations League playoffs. How are you feeling about the upcoming games?
**Neuhold:** It’s an exciting time for Austrian football, but also a pivotal one. Facing Serbia, especially with the first leg being at home, gives us a great opportunity to showcase our strength. We’re looking forward to building on our recent performance against them where we won 2-1 in June.
**Interviewer:** Last weekend’s draw with Slovenia means you’re now facing relegation; how do you view the team’s progress despite this setback?
**Neuhold:** While it was disappointing not to secure direct promotion to League A, it’s important to focus on our overall trajectory. Under Ralf Rangnick’s leadership, the team is developing well, and we have talented players ready to step up in these crucial matches.
**Interviewer:** With the first leg likely to be held in the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, how does playing at home influence the team?
**Neuhold:** Home advantage can be significant. Our fans create an incredible atmosphere that inspires our players. We’re confident that with their support, we can put forward a strong performance and set the tone for the second leg in Serbia.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, the team is also focused on the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. How do these playoff matches against Serbia fit into your broader strategy?
**Neuhold:** These matches are crucial not just for immediate results, but they also help in building team cohesion and experience as we prepare for the World Cup qualifiers starting in June. We want to ensure that our squad is not only capable of competing at a high level in Europe but also ready for the world stage.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your insights, Bernhard. We wish you and the team the best of luck in March!
**Neuhold:** Thank you! We appreciate the support and look forward to making our fans proud.
