You can follow the action on Al Jazeera’s dedicated World Cup 2026 page with all the latest news, match build-up and live text commentary, and keep up to date with group standings, real-time match results and schedules.When it comes to winning World Cups, no continent knows how to do it better than Europe.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4World Cup dark horses: Unheralded Netherlands should not be written offlist 2 of 4World Cup contenders: Can Deschamps convert France’s talent into glory?list 3 of 4World Cup contenders: Can Spain’s young stars live up to the hype?list 4 of 4From Messi to Yamal: Top 10 superstars to watch at FIFA World Cup 2026end of listOutside of Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay, only European teams have lifted the trophy.Al Jazeera takes a look at the 16 UEFA qualifiers, of which four previous winners are included – with Italy the fifth team to win it, but missing out on a third consecutive edition when the tournament begins on June 11:⚽️ AUSTRIAWorld Cup Appearances: Eight (1934, 1954, 1958, 1978, 1982, 1990, 1998, 2026)
Best finish: Third place
Overall World Cup record: P29 W12 D4 L13 F43 A47
FIFA ranking: 24
Prediction: Eliminated at group stageSo long a World Cup regular, Austria return to the global stage after a 28-year absence.Veteran forward Marko Arnautovic leads the line and the hopes of the Austrians, who are coached by former Manchester United interim boss, Ralf Rangnick.Arnautovic netted eight times in a qualifying campaign that saw his side top Bosnia and Herzegovina and Romania in their group.Captain and centre-back David Alaba, midfielder Marcel Sabitzer and ever-dangerous midfielder Michael Gregoritsch were all part of the side that finished ahead of France and the Netherlands in their group at Euro 2024.Their elimination by Turkiye in the next round meant they have not won a knockout game at a major tournament since 1954.Debutants Jordan are first up for Austria before defending champions Argentina, and their final Group J match is against Algeria.⚽️ BELGIUMWorld Cup Appearances: 15 (1930, 1934, 1938, 1954, 1970, 1982, 1986, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002, 2014, 2018, 2022, 2026)
