Austria World Cup 2026: Laimer, Wanner and Rangnick's settled side

Austria head into the 2026 World Cup under Ralf Rangnick with a settled, high-pressing side built around continuity and emerging star quality. Midfielder Konrad Laimer is reportedly deep in contract talks with Bayern Munich after a standout season, while 20-year-old Paul Wanner has added genuine creative spark to the squad (1). With no managerial upheaval and a clear tactical identity, Austria appear well-drilled ahead of their opener on 11 June, leaving the infamous ghosts of Gijón firmly in the past.