DD-Sport > Football > Like Norway, Austria’s first World Cup appearance was against Italy in 1998.

Like Norway, Austria’s first World Cup appearance was against Italy in 1998.

Hupu News, November 19, Austria drew with Bosnia and Herzegovina in tonight’s World Cup European qualifiers, qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup.

Like Norway, they will return to the World Cup after 28 years.

Interestingly, like Norway, their last World Cup match in team history was against Italy in the 1998 World Cup in France - Norway lost 0-1 to Italy in the 1/8 finals, and they lost 1-2 in the final round of the group stage.

In that game, Vieri and Baggio each scored a goal for Italy, while Herzog scored for Austria.

The Italian lineup for that game: Pagliuca/Costacurta, Cannavaro, Nesta, Maldini/Moreno, Dino Baggio, Di Biagio, Pesotto/Pierro, Vieri

Substitutes who appeared: Bergomi (Nesta retired injured in the first 4 minutes), Inzaghi, Baggio