Austria have only ever lost one of six encounters with Bosnia & Herzegovina, but are targeting back-to-back victories for the first time. The Golden Lilies' sole victory over Das Team was a 1-0 UEFA Nations League victory in Zenica back in September 2018, drawing their last two clashes on Austrian soil.
Austria vs Bosnia preview
World Cup qualifiers do not come much more important than this, with both knowing victory in Vienna on Tuesday will take them to America next summer, so who will be celebrating come full time?
Austria are in the cat bird seat, starting the night top of Group H, thereby requiring just a draw from this showdown. On Saturday, Ralf Rangnick's team moved three points closer to qualification, beating Cyprus 2-0 in Limassol, thanks to Marko Arnautović's double. It has been a very productive campaign for the 36 year old striker, becoming his country's all-time top scorer last month, surpassing Toni Polster's record, by virtue of netting four times during the 10-0 demolition of San Marino.
Overall, Austria have won six out of seven in Group H, their sole slip-up a 1-0 defeat against Romania last month, the night's only goal at Arena Națională coming in the 95th minute. Despite featuring at four of the last five Euros, Austria have not qualified for any World Cup since France '98, dumped out by Wales in the play-offs last time round. So, being in North America next summer would be a massive achievement, so will they pick up the required result at Ernst-Happel-Stadion?
Bosnia & Herzegovina simply must win in Vienna to leapfrog their hosts and secure automatic qualification. The Golden Lilies kept their hopes of top spot alive on Saturday night, fighting back from a goal down to beat Romania 3-1 at Stadion Bilino polje. Talisman Edin Džeko equalised before an absolute rocket from Esmir Bajraktarević fired them ahead, with Haris Tabaković making the points secure in stoppage time. Bosnia have therefore still only lost once in this campaign, beaten 2-1 when Austria visited Zenica in September, somewhat ruing their 2-2 draw in Cyprus last month.
Bosnia have qualified for a World Cup more recently than their hosts, appearing at Brazil 2014, and Sergej Barbarez's side will be desperate to avoid the play-offs. That's because, the Dragons have lost all five qualification play-offs they've even been involved in, ousted by Portugal in 2009 and 2011, Republic of Ireland in 2015, Northern Ireland in 2020 and Ukraine last year. They are certainly underdogs traveling to Vienna on Tuesday, but can Bosnia stun a sold out Ernst-Happel-Stadion into silence, or will it be an historic night for Austria?
Austria vs Bosnia & Herzegovina head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 6.
- Austria Wins: 2. Draws: 3. Bosnia & Herzegovina Wins: 1.
Austria team news
Captain David Alaba can return, having served a one-match suspension in Limassol on Saturday, while the same is true of left-back Phillipp Mwene.
Ralf Rangnick could also bring Florian Grillitsch and Michael Gregoritsch back into his lineup, with Marcel Sabitzer winning his 95th cap, hoping to reach 100 at next summer's World Cup.
Austria predicted lineup vs Bosnia & Herzegovina: (4-2-3-1): Schlager; Posch, Danso, Alaba, Mwene; Laimer, Seiwald, Schmid, Baumgartner, Sabitzer; Arnautović.
Austria player to watch vs Bosnia
As already outlined, Marko Arnautović is now Austria's all-time leading scorer with 47, of which eight have come during this qualification campaign. In the summer, he fulfilled a childhood dream by signing for Crvena zvezda, so will he now achieve another be firing Austria into a first World Cup for 28 years?
Bosnia team news
Sergej Barbarez is Bosnia's fifth different manager in just three years, but can he mastermind an historic victory in Vienna?
Former Rangers centre-back Nikola Katić as well as left-back Amar Dedić and midfield Dženis Burnić are all suspended, but Nihad Mujakić and Ivan Šunjić can both return, following bans of their own.
Once a USMNT international, Esmir Bajraktarević scored his first goal for Bosnia in spectacular fashion on Saturday, while ex-Arsenal man Sead Kolašinac could come into a depleted defence.
Bosnia & Herzegovina predicted lineup vs Austria: (4-2-3-1): Vasilj; Malić, Muharemović, Mujakić, Kolašinac; Tahirović, Šunjić, Bajraktarević, Tabaković, Memić; Džeko.
Bosnia player to watch vs Austria
In the battle of the veteran centre-forwards, Edin Džeko bagged his 72nd goal for Bosnia at the weekend; the man with the second-most is Vedad Ibišević on 28. Now 39, Džeko scored at the 2014 World Cup against Iran, twice on target against Austria in the past, so can he fire his country back to the World Cup?
Austria vs Bosnia prediction
A nervy night awaits for all involved in Vienna, but we are backing Austria for victory at Ernst-Happel-Stadion, likely to be too strong, thereby cemening qualification: Austria 2-0 Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Austria vs Bosnia & Herzegovina FAQs - World Cup qualifier
How to watch Austria vs Bosnia in World Cup qualification on TV channel?
Austria vs Bosnia & Herzegovina in World Cup qualification will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: This match is not being broadcast live in the UK.
- USA: Fox Sports & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Austria vs Bosnia in World Cup qualification on live streaming?
Austria vs Bosnia & Herzegovina in World Cup qualification will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: This match is not being broadcast live in the UK.
- USA: Foxsports.com & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Austria vs Bosnia in World Cup qualification?
Austria vs Bosnia & Herzegovina takes place on Tuesday 18 November 2025, with kick off at 19:45 (GMT), 14:45 (ET) & 11:45 (PT).