Team Austria Takes the Field for a Community Training Session at UCSB’s Harder Stadium

Twenty-five hundred excited fans including City of Goleta residents, members of the UCSB campus community, and representatives from local soccer clubs got a once in a lifetime chance to see the Austrian National Football Team in action up close at a community training session held today, June 5th, 2026 at UCSB’s Harder Stadium!

The event was put on as a collaborative effort between UC Santa Barbara Athletics, Österreichischer Fußball-Bund (Austrian Football Association), and the City of Goleta. The historic event marks the beginning of Team Austria’s stay in Goleta during the FIFA World Cup 2026TM.

The training session kicked off with a performance by UCSB’s marching band followed by Team Austria, led by Head Coach Ralf Rangnick, taking the field to engage in drills. After the team finished their training, attendees had a chance to meet the team and get Team Austria gear signed.

To end the community training session, young local soccer players headed out on the field to participate in training exercises.

Mayor Paula Perotte shared, “We are so excited to welcome Team Austria to Goleta, and to bring a world class soccer experience to our area! Thank you to Team Austria and UCSB for their partnership and for making this community event possible.” 

Team Austria will be going on to face several opponents in the Group Stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026TM.

• Austria (24th) v. Jordan (63rd) – Tuesday, June 16 – San Francisco Bay Area
• Austria (24th) v. Argentina (3rd) – Monday, June 22 – Dallas
• Austria (24th) v. Algeria (28th) – Saturday, June 27 – Kansas City

We wish Team Austria the best of luck as they take on the FIFA World Cup 2026TM tournament! “Auf geh’ts, Burschen! Noch ein Tor!” (“Let’s go, lads!  Another goal!”)