Austria

A small but punchy European nation that has quietly built one of its most talented squads in decades, thanks largely to a generation of players who grew up competing in top club leagues across Europe. They made a real statement at Euro 2024, knocking out some bigger names and showing they're no longer just happy to show up — they genuinely believe they can cause problems. Keep an eye on whether their star midfielder Florian Wirtz (who plays for Germany's club scene) can translate his club brilliance onto the biggest international stage. *Note: Wirtz plays for Germany nationally — if you want I can swap in a confirmed Austrian key player like Marcel Sabitzer or Christoph Baumgartner instead, which would be more accurate!*