After 27 years, Austria qualifies for the World Cup after a 1-1 draw against Bosnia

Austria qualified for the 2026 World Cup after scoring a 77th-minute equalizer against Bosnia through Michael Gregoritsch on Tuesday, earning a 1-1 draw and moving top of Group H.

It will be Austria’s first appearance at a World Cup since 1998.

Bosnia finished second in the group, two points behind 17, and entered the play-offs in March for a place at next year’s tournament, co-hosted by Mexico, the US and Canada.

Bosnia needed a win to top the group and automatically qualify for the second World Cup after its first appearance in 2014. Bosnia stunned the home crowd when Haris Tabakovic headed in from close range to give them a twelve-minute lead.

The forward has now scored in each of Bosnia’s last three qualifying matches, including Saturday’s 3-1 win over Romania.

Ralf Rangnick’s Austria bounced back, regained control and put the ball in the net on the stroke of half-time, but Konrad Laimer’s effort was ruled out for a foul after a lengthy VAR review.

The visiting side, Bosnia, were content to sit back and enjoy the pressure in the second half, hoping to catch Austria on the break.

But the hosts’ pressure eventually paid off as Gregoritsch saw Marcel Sabitzer’s cross sail past the Bosnian keeper before bouncing off the post into his path for a powerful finish and his 23rd and most memorable international goal.

Published on November 19, 2025