UEFA · Europe
Austria
Das Team · The Team
From the legendary Wunderteam of the 1930s to a historic third-place finish in 1954, Austria has produced some of football's most iconic moments — and is writing exciting new chapters today.
🎤Hey, I am Amy!
Hey! I am Amy! Did you know Austria's football team used to be called the Wunderteam — the Wonder Team? They were so brilliant in the 1930s that people came from all over Europe just to watch them play. And today, David Alaba carries on that proud tradition!
Quick Facts
Football Association Founded
ÖFB — Österreichischer Fußball-Bund, founded 1904
First International Match
1902 vs Hungary — one of the world's first football matches
Nickname
Das Team (The Team) — also known for the historic Wunderteam era
Home Stadium
Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna — capacity 48,500
FIFA Confederation
UEFA — Union of European Football Associations
Domestic League
Austrian Football Bundesliga — founded 1911, one of Europe's oldest
Discover Austria
Austria is a landlocked country in the heart of central Europe, bordered by eight countries including Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and Hungary. It is a country of spectacular Alpine scenery — the Austrian Alps cover more than 60% of the country, with peaks reaching over 3,000 metres. The Danube River flows through the country from west to east, passing through Vienna before continuing to the Black Sea.
Austria is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and a highly developed economy. It is famous for its engineering, tourism, and cultural exports. Vienna, the capital, is one of Europe's greatest cities — a former imperial capital of the Habsburg Empire that once ruled over much of Europe. The city is renowned for its stunning architecture, world-class museums, concert halls, and coffee house culture.
With a population of around 9 million people, Austria has a cultural legacy that has shaped the entire world. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ludwig van Beethoven (who worked in Vienna), and Gustav Klimt are just some of the legendary artists and musicians associated with this small but enormously influential nation. Austria is also a passionate skiing nation — the Austrian Alps are home to some of the world's finest ski resorts.
Map of Austria
🌍 Where in the World
Flag of Austria
Austria's flag features three equal horizontal bands of red, white, and red. It is one of the oldest national flags in the world, with the design dating back to the 13th century. According to legend, the colours came from the battle-stained white surcoat of Duke Leopold V.
🏟️ The History of Austrian Football
Austria's football story begins earlier than almost any other national team. They played their first international match in 1902 against Hungary, making them one of the world's most historic football nations. But the true golden age arrived in the 1930s with the Wunderteam — the Wonder Team — coached by Hugo Meisl. Austria's fluid, passing style was so far ahead of its time that crowds flocked across Europe to see them. The team's heart was Matthias Sindelar, a forward so elegant and intelligent he was nicknamed "The Mozart of Football."
The Wunderteam's achievements were extraordinary for the era — they went 14 matches unbeaten at one stage, including famous victories over Scotland, Germany and Hungary. At the 1934 World Cup they reached the semi-finals, and at the 1938 tournament they had to withdraw when Germany annexed Austria politically. Their greatest World Cup achievement came in 1954 in Switzerland, where they finished third — beating Uruguay and West Germany along the way before losing to the hosts.
Modern Austria experienced long periods without qualifying for major tournaments, but the 2010s and 2020s brought a genuine revival. Reaching the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2024 — beating Poland and the Netherlands — was the best European Championship result in decades, built around elite modern players like David Alaba, one of the most decorated footballers in history through his years at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
Key Results
- 1934🥉 Semi-finals — Italy (Wunderteam era)
- 1954🥉 Third place — Switzerland
- 1958🔵 Group stage
- 1978🔵 Group stage — beat West Germany
- 1982🔵 Second round
- 1990🔵 Group stage
- 1998🔵 Group stage
3rd
Place at the 1954 World Cup — Austria's greatest achievement on the world stage
✨ Did You Know?
The Mozart of Football
Matthias Sindelar, Austria's greatest ever player, was nicknamed 'Der Papierene' (The Paper Man) for his light, graceful style — and the 'Mozart of Football' for his brilliant creativity. He is still celebrated as one of the most gifted footballers who ever lived.
The Wunderteam
In the 1930s, Austria's national team was nicknamed the Wunderteam — the Wonder Team. They played a beautiful passing style years before it became common, and went 14 matches unbeaten. Football historians consider them one of the first truly great international teams.
David Alaba — Champions League Winner
David Alaba is Austria's most decorated player ever. He won the Champions League twice with Bayern Munich and once with Real Madrid, plus numerous Bundesliga titles. At Real Madrid he played in the heart of the defence alongside the world's best players.
🌟 Famous Players
Austria has produced footballers of extraordinary talent across every era — from the Wunderteam legends to modern Champions League winners.
Matthias Sindelar
1926–1938Known as the 'Mozart of Football' — Austria's greatest ever player and the heart of the legendary Wunderteam. His elegant, intelligent style was decades ahead of his time.
Hans Krankl
1973–1985Austria's top scorer for many years — a clever, lethal striker who scored the famous winner against West Germany at the 1978 World Cup. Won the Golden Boot in European football in 1978 with Rapid Vienna.
David Alaba
2009–presentAustria's modern superstar — a versatile defender who won the Champions League three times (Bayern Munich x2, Real Madrid x1) and captained his country with tremendous pride and leadership.
Andreas Herzog
1988–2002Austria's most-capped player for many years — a midfield general with excellent passing and vision who represented his country at two World Cups and was the heartbeat of Austrian football in the 1990s.
Ernst Happel
1948–1962A legendary defender who later became one of Europe's finest club managers — winning the European Cup with Feyenoord and Hamburg. Austria's national stadium in Vienna is named in his honour.
📰 Recent Events
UEFA Euro 2020 — Round of 16
Austria reached the last 16 at Euro 2020 — their best major tournament performance in decades — before being eliminated by Italy, the eventual champions. A sign of genuine progress under coach Franco Foda.
UEFA Nations League — Promotion
Austria were promoted to UEFA Nations League A — the top tier — demonstrating consistent improvement. The team was building genuine belief ahead of major tournaments.
UEFA Euro 2024 — Quarter-Finals
Austria delivered their best European Championship result in modern history — beating Poland and the Netherlands in the group stage before narrowly losing to Turkey in the round of 16. A historic and exciting campaign.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualification
Austria are competing strongly in 2026 World Cup qualification, aiming to reach the finals for the first time since 1998. With David Alaba and a talented squad, qualification is firmly the goal.
Explore More Football Nations
From Matthias Sindelar and the Wunderteam to David Alaba winning the Champions League, Austria's football story is one of elegance, history and a passionate love of the beautiful game. The next chapter is being written right now.