Spain will be looking to keep their 2026 World Cup hopes going when they face Austria on Thursday at 8pm (UK time).
La Roja didn’t get off to a good start at the World Cup, but they bounced back to top Group H. Spain opened with a goalless draw against Cape Verde, which raised some questions about their title chances. They responded in emphatic fashion by beating Saudi Arabia, and secured top spot with a win over Uruguay. Spain are yet to concede a goal at the World Cup, so will be looking to build on that defensive structure.
Austria were seconds away from being knocked out of the World Cup in their last match. They only needed a draw against Algeria to seal second-place in Group J — a result that would have seen both teams qualify. The pair seemed to be playing out the draw until Algeria took the lead deep into injury time. But Sasa Kalajdzic scored even later to bring Austria back level, sealing second spot with four points. Austria had beaten Jordan in their first game before losing to Argentina.
This will be the 17th game between these two sides, but the first since 2009. It’s also just their second major tournament match, after the 1978 World Cup — a game Austria won 2-1.
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Spain vs Austria team news
Spain team news
Nico Williams is still waiting for his first World Cup start after injury, and he may be kept on the bench. Alex Baena continues to start at left-wing and scored in the victory over Uruguay. So he is likely to keep his spot in the team, with Lamine Yamal making the right-wing spot his own. Mikel Oyarzabal appears to be unrivalled as Spain’s starting striker.
Luis de la Fuent has started three different midfield trios in Spain’s three matches so far. All three have included Rodri and Pedri, who are guaranteed starters. There’s a question of who completes the trio, though. Mikel Merino may keep his spot from the win over Uruguay, ahead of Fabian Ruiz and Dani Olmo. Ruiz was part of the Spain side that failed to beat Cape Verde, while Dani Olmo did impress — albeit against Saudi Arabia.
The defence is likely to remain unchanged too. Marcos Llorente has started two of Spain’s three games at right-back, winning his spot from Pedro Porro last time out. Marc Cucurella should start on the left, with Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi the centre-back pairing. Unai Simon is De le Fuente’s undisputed No.1 goalkeeper.
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Austria team news
Marko Arnautovic got his first start of the 2026 World Cup last time out and he’s likely to lead the line once more. Sasa Kalajdzic came off the bench to net a late equaliser, but didn’t make a massive impact as a starter in the opener. The draw with Algeria also saw Konrad Laimer playing in his third position of the tournament, this time as the right-winger.
Laimer swapped positions with Romano Schmid from the first game, and they may keep their spots, with the latter in the No.10. Marcel Sabitzer has been the left-winger throughout the tournament, and should continue there. Xaver Schlager and Nicolas Seiwald have been the go-to double pivot in all three games, and there’s no need for Vladimir Petkovic to change that.
Petkovic also reverted to his back four from the opening game. Phillipp Mwene started at left-back, replacing Laimer who had moved further forward. Philipp Lienhart also returned to the starting defence, partnering David Alaba at centre-back, with Stefan Posch on the right. Alexander Schlager will continue in goal.
Spain vs Austria predicted lineups
Spain (4-3-3): Simon; Llorente, Cubarsi, Laporte, Cucurella; Merino, Rodri, Pedri; Yamal, Oyarzabal, Baena.
Austria (4-2-3-1): A Schlager; Posch, Lienhart, Alaba, Mwene; Schlager, Seiwald; Laimer, Schmid, Sabitzer; Arnautovic.
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