Austria are just one of the 24 teams taking part at the Euros 2024 in Germany. Here’s everything you need to know about the team, who topped a group featuring France, Netherlands and Poland!

1. Their first game was in 1902

Austria’s first international game was against their neighbours Hungary in Vienna over 120 years ago. The final score was in their favour, winning 5 goals to 0.

2. Their badge is their fifth design in over 100 years

The badge you’re looking at was introduced in 2019. ÖFB stands for Österreichischen Fußballbundes, which is the Austrian Football Association.

3. The team play their home games all over Austria

Austria play at stadiums all over the country, but the biggest ground is the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna. It has a capacity of 50,865. Other grounds included those belonging to SK Austria Klagenfurt, Red Bull Salzburg, SK Rapid Vienna and LASK.

4. Their captain is David Alaba

Despite being part of the team’s successful Euros qualifying matches, the Real Madrid player suffered a knee injury which took him out of action for the rest of the season. He traveled with his team-mates to give them his support as a “non-playing captain”. Marcel Sabitzer is the boss on the actual pitch.

5. They have a few nicknames

While most teams have just one nickname, Austria have three to choose from. You can call them Das Team (The Team), Burschen (The Boys) or even Unsere Burschen (Our Boys).

6. Hungary are their biggest rivals

After Argentina-Uruquay, Austria and Hungary are teams who’ve played each other the most in an international setting. They’re neighbouring countries and were known as Austria-Hungary from 1867 to 1918. They first played Hungary in 1902 and won 5-0! They last faced each other at the Euros 2016 in Bordeaux, France. Hungary won 2-0

7. Marko Arnautović is their most-capped player

Marko Arnautović is a forward and currently plays for Austria. He made his international debut in October 2008 against the Faroe Islands. Since then, he’s earned over 110 caps.

8. Toni Polster is the team’s highest scorer

Toni Polster holds the record for being Austria’s highest goalscorer. During his international career, he made 95 appearances and scored 44 times! His nickname was Toni Doppelpack, which means ‘Toni Brace’ as he scored twice in a number of matches.

9. They’re placed 25th in the FIFA World Rankings

In June 2024, Austria were ranked the 25th best men’s team in the world, according to FIFA. Their highest ranking was 10th for a brief spell in 2016, and their lowest was 105th in 2008. The world’s number 1 is Argentina, thanks to their 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. 

10. Their biggest win was against Malta

In a World Cup qualifying match, Austria faced Malta in Salzburg on April 30, 1977. They won 9-0, with striker Hans Krankl scoring a double hat-trick!

11. Their biggest defeat was versus England

Austria’s biggest defeat came during a match on home soil against England. Playing at Vienna, they were beat 11 goals to 1 on June 8, 1908.

12. Their head coach is Ralf Rangnick

Former RP Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick was appointed as Austria’s manager in 2022. You may recognise the name as he was Manchester United’s manager for a brief spell as the looked for a permanent replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjær

13. Austria scored the fastest ever international goal in 2024

RP Leipzig midfielder Christoph Baumgartner is on record for scoring the quickest goal in international football after hitting the net just 6 seconds in a game against Slovakia. The final score was 2-0.

14. They haven’t won a major trophy yet

Despite not winning a major trophy, the team were third in the 1954 World Cup and before that, silver medalists at the Olympic Games in 1936.

15. They were one of the most feared teams in international football

During the 1930s, Austria were nicknamed the Wunderteam after finishing fourth at the 1934 FIFA World Cup. Two years later, they were silver medalists at the summer Olympics.