Austria started its first World Cup since 1998 with a win, but things are about to get much tougher.
Ralf Rangnick’s side got off to a flying start against Jordan, winning 3-1 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
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But now Austria will have to face Argentina and Lionel Messi, who started his 2026 World Cup with a sensational hat trick in a 3-0 win over Algeria.
Here is how we see Austria lining up at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Goalkeeper: Alexander Schlager
The Red Bull Salzburg ‘keeper had a solid World Cup debut against Jordan, making three saves
Defense: Konrad Laimer, David Alaba, Philipp Lienhart, Phillipp Mwene
Laimer may shift back from central midfield to right back to replace Stefan Posch, who is still available despite suffering a broken jaw against Jordan.
Midfield: Xaver Schlager, Nicolas Seiwald, Romano Schmid, Carney Chukwuemeka, Marcel Sabitzer
Schlager and Seiwald will have very important jobs as the holding midfielders, while Sabitzer will be counted on for creativity.
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Forward: Marko Arnautovic
The veteran came off the bench and scored from the penalty spot against Jordan, and could be in line to start here.
Austria projected lineup vs. Argentina: Schlager; Laimer, Alaba, Lienhart, Mwene; Schlager, Seiwald; Schmid, Chukwuemeka, Sabitzer; Arnautovic
Goalkeepers: Alexander Schlager (Red Bull Salzburg), Florian Wiegele (Viktoria Plzen), Patrick Pentz (Brondby)
Defenders: David Affengruber (Elche), Kevin Danso (Tottenham Hotspur), Stefan Posch (Como), David Alaba (Real Madrid), Philipp Lienhart (Freiburg), Phillipp Mwene (Mainz), Alexander Prass (Hoffenheim), Marco Friedl (Werder Bremen), Michael Svoboda (Venezia)
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Midfielders: Nicolas Seiwald (RB Leipzig), Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Grillitsch (Braga), Carney Chukwuemeka (Borussia Dortmund), Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen), Christoph Baumgartner (Hoffenheim)*, Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich), Patrick Wimmer (VfL Wolfsburg), Paul Wanner (PSV), Alessandro Schopf (Wolfsberger), Dejan Ljubicic (FC Schalke 04)
Forwards: Marko Arnautovic (Red Star Belgrade), Michael Gregoritsch (Brondby), Sasa Kalajdzic (Wolverhampton Wanderers)
*Ljubicic replaced the injured Baumgartner
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Photos reveal unforgettable World Cup action and emotion
US forward #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his team’s third goal during the 2026 World Cup Group D football match between USA and Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP via Getty Images)
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Austria projected lineup vs. Argentina, World Cup roster
