World Cup Qualification 2026: Cyprus-Austria, the likely lineups

Austria visits Cyprus on the penultimate day of Group H of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Kickoff at 6 p.m. at the Alphamega Stadium in Limassol. The hosts, who have already waved goodbye to their hopes of qualification, will nevertheless try to close out the group with dignity, while the Austrians are chasing three points that would mortgage a direct pass to the rainbow event.

Mantzios looks set to reintroduce the blockade seen in recent outings: Shikkis, Charalampous, Artymatas, who is not at his best, and Anderson Correia in the middle of the field, with Loizou and Kastanos providing quality in the three-quarter and Pittas confirmed as the offensive reference.

Rangnick should also insist on the men he trusts: Laimer, Lienhart, Danso and Friedl making up the defensive line, protected by the Seiwald-Grillitsch midfield duo. Schmid, Baumgartner and Sabitzer will act in the three-quarter, all supporting Gregoritsch chosen as center forward. Not available are the disqualified David Alaba and Philipp Mwene.

Probable lineups

Cyprus (3-4-2-1): Mall; Panagiotou, Andreou, Laifis; Shikkis, Charalampous, Artymatas, Anderson Correia; Loizou, Kastanos; Pittas. Coach: Mantzios.

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Austria (4-2-3-1): A. Schlager; Laimer, Lienhart, Danso, Friedl; Seiwald, Grillitsch; Schmid, Baumgartner, Sabitzer; Gregoritsch. Coach: Rangnick.

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