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.
How does Bernhard Neuhold assess the team’s morale and preparation leading into the World Cup qualification after the Nations League games?
**Interview with Bernhard Neuhold, Managing Director of ÖFB**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Bernhard. Austria’s national soccer team will face Serbia in significant matches this March for promotion back to League A of the UEFA Nations League. Can you share your thoughts on how the team is preparing for these crucial games?
**Neuhold:** Absolutely, it’s a pivotal moment for us. After the recent 1-1 draw against Slovenia, we knew the stakes were high. Our team, under Ralf Rangnick’s leadership, is committed to bouncing back. We’re focusing on refining our strategies and maximizing our training sessions. The upcoming fixtures against Serbia are not just about pride; they’re essential for our standings in the Nations League and future competitions.
**Interviewer:** The first leg of the relegation will be hosted in Vienna on March 20th. Can we expect it to take place in the Ernst Happel Stadium?
**Neuhold:** Yes, we are in the process of confirming the venue but all indications point to the Ernst Happel Stadium. It’s a venue that can hold a large crowd, which is crucial for supporting our players. We need every fan’s energy behind us in such a crucial match. We’ll finalize and report our decision to UEFA by November 29th.
**Interviewer:** Serbia has proven to be a formidable opponent, finishing third in their Nations League group behind Spain and Denmark. Last June, however, Austria managed to defeat them in a friendly. How significant is that victory for your team’s morale?
**Neuhold:** That victory was indeed significant. It showed our players that we can compete with top-tier teams, even those as talented as Serbia. Star players like Dusan Vlahovic are a challenge, but our experience from that match taught us valuable lessons that we’ll carry into the upcoming matches. Confidence is key, and that win boosted morale significantly.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, after the Nations League matches, Austria will be involved in World Cup qualification starting next June. What are your expectations for the team as they prepare for that event?
**Neuhold:** The World Cup is the ultimate goal for us. Qualifying will be tough, but being placed in pot one gives us an advantageous position in the draw. Our immediate focus is on the Serbia matches, but we are fully aware of the importance of building a solid team for the World Cup qualifiers. We believe that a successful Nations League campaign will set the tone for what lies ahead.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for your time, Bernhard. It sounds like there’s a lot to look forward to!
**Neuhold:** Thank you for having me. We are eager to take on Serbia and hope to see our fans rally behind us. Let’s make it a memorable series of matches!
