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.
**Interview with Football Expert Maria Schneider on Austria’s Upcoming Matches Against Serbia**
**Editor:** Welcome, Maria! Thank you for joining us today. Austria’s national football team has an exciting and crucial play-off against Serbia coming up. Can you give us an overview of what this means for the team?
**Maria Schneider:** Thank you for having me! Yes, the matches against Serbia are pivotal for Austria. After their recent draw against Slovenia, the team finds itself in a position where they need to win these play-offs to secure a place back in League A of the Nations League. The first leg on March 20th in Vienna, followed by the second leg in Serbia on March 23rd, will be crucial for their future.
**Editor:** Austria recently faced some setbacks, including relegation from League A. What went wrong in the previous matches, particularly the draw with Slovenia?
**Maria Schneider:** Austria had high hopes for direct promotion but faltered against Slovenia, which was disappointing for the fans. The team finished second in their group behind Norway, but the tie against Slovenia meant they couldn’t secure the needed points. Their performance showed potential, particularly under team boss Ralf Rangnick, but consistency has been an issue.
**Editor:** You mentioned that Austria won their last encounter with Serbia. Do you think that victory can boost the team’s confidence heading into these play-offs?
**Maria Schneider:** Absolutely! That 2-1 win in June provides a psychological edge. Knowing they can compete successfully against a formidable opponent like Serbia, especially with stars like Dusan Vlahovic, can significantly uplift the team’s morale. Confidence is key in knockout matches like these.
**Editor:** The ÖFB is expected to play the first leg at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna. How important is home advantage in such critical games?
**Maria Schneider:** Home advantage is incredibly important, particularly in high-stakes matches. The crowd can be a significant motivator for the players, creating an electric atmosphere that boosts performance. Playing at a venue like the Ernst Happel Stadium, which has a larger capacity for fans, can ensure more support, making it a fortress for the team.
**Editor:** Looking ahead, how will these matches affect Austria’s plans for the 2026 World Cup qualification?
**Maria Schneider:** These play-offs are vital for Austria to regain their status in League A, which helps in seeding for future tournaments. Although World Cup qualification starts in June, having solid performances in the Nations League will be crucial for building momentum and establishing a winning mentality as they prepare for those qualifiers.
**Editor:** Thank you, Maria, for your insights. It will be interesting to see how Austria performs against Serbia!
**Maria Schneider:** Thank you! I’m looking forward to it as well. It’s a significant moment for Austrian football.