Austria’s plan has been remarkably stable for years. Personnel have shifted here and there, but the spine has barely changed: Marcel Sabitzer in an attacking role, Nicolas Seiwald and Xaver Schlager in central midfield, and a defence built around Philipp Lienhart, Konrad Laimer and Stefan Posch. Continuity is one of their strengths.
The core principles remain press and stress. Austria want to stress opponents, force the pace of the game, win the ball back quickly and turn mistakes into chances. A few years ago that felt fresh and modern; now, high pressing and aggressive counterpressing are hardly revolutionary, and if the structure slips even slightly, the approach can expose a team badly. Austria, however, almost never lose that balance. They have absorbed coach Ralf Rangnick’s ideas to the point of reflex.
Learn more about Austria in our full team guide …
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/jun/17/fifa-world-cup-2026-live-austria-v-jordan-updates-aut-vs-jor-group-j-match-score-latest