Switzerland 

After World War Two had ended Austria became its own country again. The tournament was held in Switzerland and eventually won by West Germany who beat Hungary 3-2 in the final. Group stages were back in and the Austria national football team won both of their group fixtures. The team finished on the same points as Uruguay. In the quarter final the side faced the hosts Switzerland. The game turned out to be a 12 goal thriller ending 7-5 to Austria after they had actually been 3-0 down after 20 minutes. The semi-final saw Austria undone by their big rivals West Germany. A 6-1 defeat sent them into the third placed play-off where this time they emerged victorious. The 3-1 win over Uruguay represents the Austria national football team’s best ever world cup finish.

Sweden

Sweden was the host country in 1958 and Brazil were the eventual winners. This is still the only time a European world cup was not won by a European nation. The Austria national football team were actually in Brazil’s group and things did not go well for the side. After losing 3-0 to the champions they then lost 2-0 to the Soviet Union. The team were already eliminated at this stage but managed to get a point at least when they drew 2-2 with England. This did not stop then finishing bottom.

Argentina

It was twenty years until the Austria national football team returned to the world cup. This time the tournament was being held and won by Argentina. In a strange coincidence the side again found themselves in a group alongside Brazil. It could not have been a more different experience to 1958 as the side won both of their opening two matches to secure qualification early. Despite losing their final match to Brazil the team still finished top because they had scored more goals than their opponents. The format change this time resulted in two group phases and the second did not go as well. An opening 5-1 defeat to eventual tournament runners-up the Netherlands was followed by a closer 1-0 defeat to Italy. The team finished bottom but managed to beat their old rivals West Germany 3-2 in the final match.

Spain

The saga between Germany and Austria continued and there was an interesting moment involving the two sides during the 1982 world cup. Going into the final group game between the two sides, both teams knew that a one goal victory for Germany would see both sides through. During the game, after Germany scored, both teams played for around 80 minutes without mustering a real attack. After the match there was obvious consternation from the other sides in the group as well as from the Austrian and German fans who felt this was not the way to progress. The game is important as it became the reason that in today’s tournaments the final group games are played simultaneously. The second group phase again did not go well for the Austria national football team. A loss and a draw saw them missing out on the next round to France.

Italy

The world cup in 1990 was held in Italy and was won by West Germany. It was the last time they competed as a divided country. It turned out to be a pretty unsuccessful tournament for the Austria national football team as they were eliminated after two of the three group matches. Two 1-0 losses to both Italy and Czechoslovakia cost the team, and a 2-1 win over the United States was little consolation.

France

The tournament in 1998 was held in France and it was won by the hosts. They beat Brazil 3-0 in the final. This represents the last time the Austria national football team qualified for a world cup. It was close but the team did not quite make it through the group stage. Two draws from their opening two games left the side needing to better Chile’s result in the final match. They lost and Chile drew, and it was all over.

Russia

The Austria national football team are in Group D alongside Wales, Serbia, the Republic of Ireland, Moldova, and Georgia.