Van der Bellen bids farewell to the ÖFB team before their departure for the World Cup in the USA

During the farewell, the Federal President presented the team with small good-luck charms, which, according to information, bore the inscription "A goal is a dream with a deadline" and had a connection to the World Cup final.

Van der Bellen addressed a special message to the injured midfielder Christoph Baumgartner. "Dear Baumi, all of Austria wants to comfort you. Don't take it too hard – you are so young. Further opportunities will arise," the President said directly to the 26-year-old.

Injured Baumgartner receives personal comfort

Baumgartner sustained a thigh injury while warming up for the test match against Tunisia in Vienna and will therefore miss the final tournament. The test match on Monday in Vienna ended 1-0 for Austria.

ÖFB Supervisory Board President Josef Pröll also spoke at the farewell. He emphasized the special atmosphere in the country: "You can feel it, you notice in conversations that it is a great sporting event. For Austria, it is also a time of shared hope and pride."

Pröll and Babler speak of pride and hope

Vice-Chancellor and Minister of Sport Andreas Babler also addressed the players. "We are incredibly proud. You feel that in your encounters, with the people who approach you. The many children for whom you are role models," he said. To conclude, he wished: "All the best, may everything you set out to do succeed. We naturally also wish for great success."

For 33-year-old David Alaba, participation in a World Cup is a first. "I grew up in Austria, that shaped and accompanied me. That's why it has always been something special to be able to play for Austria," he said. Regarding the coming weeks, he added: "I believe we are embarking on a special journey. This day is also something special, something special for each one of us."

Alaba ahead of his first World Cup participation

Alaba also looked ahead: "I believe we are truly ready for this journey. We have waited a long time for this moment. Let's go, boys!"

The team departed from Vienna-Schwechat Airport on Thursday morning. The route leads via Los Angeles to the World Cup base camp, the Ritz-Carlton Bacara hotel in Goleta near Santa Barbara on the Californian Pacific coast.

Travel route and opening opponent

The ÖFB selection's first match at the World Cup will take place on June 17 at 6:00 AM CEST in Santa Clara against Jordan. The team's coach is Ralf Rangnick. The defending champions are Argentina.

Babler and Pröll had already bid farewell to the team the evening before in Vienna. On Thursday morning, the official farewell by the Federal President took place before the team boarded the plane for the USA.