Spain vs Austria prediction tips and odds | World Cup 2026

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Spain, the reigning European champions, take on Austria in the Round of 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026, held at the SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Luis de la Fuente’s side topped Group H with seven points and three consecutive clean sheets, reinforcing their credentials as one of the tournament favourites. For a closer look at the World Cup bookies available for this fixture, our guide covers all the key options.

Austria are contesting a World Cup knockout round for the first time since 1982 after finishing second in Group J behind Argentina with four points. Ralf Rangnick’s team scored six goals in the group stage but conceded six in return, including three in the dramatic 3-3 draw with Algeria that was saved by Sasa Kalajdzic’s 90+6 header. The winner of this tie will face Portugal or Croatia in the last 16. Those looking at brand new betting sites will find several options covering the knockout rounds.

Preview: Spain vs Austria

Spain opened their World Cup campaign with a frustrating 0-0 draw against Cape Verde, a match in which they dominated possession without ever finding a breakthrough.

The response arrived emphatically on matchday two: a 4-0 demolition of Saudi Arabia, with Lamine Yamal opening the scoring in the 11th minute and Mikel Oyarzabal registering a brace before half-time.

In their final group fixture, Spain edged past Uruguay 1-0 courtesy of an Alex Baena goal in the 42nd minute, capitalising on a costly error from goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. The match ended with Uruguay’s Agustin Canobbio sent off for a reckless challenge on Pau Cubarsi.

The defensive record stands out above everything else: zero goals conceded in three matches and only four shots allowed from inside the box across the entire tournament, according to Opta data.

The major concern for Spain involves the loss of Nico Williams, who sustained an adductor injury in his right leg following a challenge from Nicolas de la Cruz against Uruguay. Yeremy Pino has also picked up an acromioclavicular shoulder sprain. Alex Baena, who started all three group matches, has slotted into the left-wing role without any drop in performance.

Austria have returned to the World Cup for the first time since 1998 in France and have reached a knockout phase for the first time since 1982, when the tournament format featured a second group stage rather than a direct elimination bracket.

Rangnick’s side began the competition with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Jordan, with goals from Romano Schmid and Marko Arnautovic alongside an own goal.

The second match exposed Austria’s limitations against elite opposition: a 2-0 defeat to Argentina, with Lionel Messi scoring twice and Austria creating very few opportunities.

The decisive fixture against Algeria produced one of the most dramatic contests of the entire group stage. Arnautovic opened the scoring in the 28th minute after a long ball from David Alaba, but Rafik Belghali equalised in the 41st. Marcel Sabitzer restored Austria’s lead in the 55th with a strike from distance, before Riyad Mahrez levelled at 2-2 in the 60th minute and made it 3-2 in the third minute of stoppage time. When elimination appeared certain, Sasa Kalajdzic headed home three minutes later, just 61 seconds after coming on as a substitute, the third-fastest goal by a substitute in World Cup history.

Austria’s defensive fragility is the most pressing concern for Rangnick: six goals conceded in three matches, with the centre-backs repeatedly exposed in transition. Against Spain’s quality, that weakness is likely to prove costly.

Spain vs Austria team news and predicted XIs

Spain

Spain will be without Nico Williams, the Athletic Bilbao winger who sustained an adductor injury in his right leg following a challenge from Uruguayan defender Nicolas de la Cruz during the final group match.

Yeremy Pino is also a significant doubt. The Crystal Palace attacker suffered an acromioclavicular shoulder sprain in the same fixture and his availability for the bench depends on the clinical assessment over the coming hours.

De la Fuente is expected to maintain the side that dismantled Saudi Arabia 4-0, with Baena occupying the left-wing in place of Williams, Yamal on the right and Oyarzabal leading the line as a false nine. Betfred price Spain at 1.33 to win this match, reflecting their strong form in the tournament so far. For a full breakdown of their football markets, see our Betfred sportsbook review.

Austria

Austria have no confirmed injuries for this fixture against Spain. Marko Arnautovic, the 37-year-old vice-captain, is available and is expected to start up front despite being managed carefully during the group stage, where he was substituted at half-time against both Jordan and Algeria.

Recovery after the Algeria match, which concluded in dramatic fashion with six goals and extreme intensity in stoppage time, will be a key factor for Rangnick. Only five days separate the two fixtures.

Sabitzer, who earned his 100th cap for Austria in the match against Argentina, is the most important player in the squad and should start in the left-sided attacking midfield role.

Predicted lineups: Spain vs Austria

Spain predicted XI (4-3-3): U Simon; P Porro, P Cubarsi, A Laporte, M Cucurella; D Olmo, Rodri, Pedri; L Yamal, M Oyarzabal, A Baena.

Austria predicted XI (4-2-3-1): A Schlager; S Posch, D Alaba, P Lienhart, P Mwene; X Schlager, N Seiwald; K Laimer, R Schmid, M Sabitzer; M Arnautovic.

Head to head: Spain vs Austria

Spain and Austria have met 16 times in total, with the balance firmly in Spain’s favour: nine victories, three draws and four defeats.

The most recent encounter was in November 2009, a friendly played in Austria and won 5-1 by Spain. Almost 17 years have passed without a meeting between these two sides.

The only World Cup finals meeting between the sides came in 1978 in Argentina, where Austria prevailed 2-1 in the group stage, one of only four Austrian victories in the head-to-head record.

The largest victory in the history of the fixture was Spain’s 9-0 demolition in March 1999, during qualifying for Euro 2000.

Spain vs Austria prediction and tips

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