The Austrian national football team is poised to qualify for the World Cup for the first time in 28 years. Three Werder Bremen players – Romano Schmid, Marco Grül, and captain Marco Friedl – will represent the national team. They will fight hard for World Cup qualification in matches against Cyprus and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Austrian team is currently in good form, and in an interview, Marco Friedl discussed the team's shared dream, the inspiring records set by Marko Arnautovic, and the enthusiastic atmosphere among the domestic fans.  

When asked about the FIFA World Cup, Marco Friedl recalled: "I remember those unforgettable moments, with so many exciting matches, sometimes two or three a day. Because I arrived in Germany very early, I felt the festive atmosphere of the whole country, and everyone was full of enthusiasm. In contrast, it was a completely different story for us Austrians, because we didn't stay there for very long."  

"Compared to a few years ago, the attendance is significantly higher now, which shows that everyone is eager to watch our games. The fans want us to win again, and we are trying to enjoy that enthusiasm. For every player on the team, this will be their first World Cup, and for many, it may even be their last chance. We want to seize this opportunity and give it our all. Apart from the game against Romania, we have been performing very well so far, and we hope to build on that."  

When asked how to approach the upcoming match, Marco Friedl said: "The key is to play to our level and stick to our principles. The match could be very difficult because Cyprus is unbeaten at home in the World Cup qualifiers so far. For us, the most important thing is to get back to our best form. Although beating Cyprus might be enough, we are more focused on our own performance because we know we are in a favorable position."  

Speaking about Marko Arnautovic breaking Toni Polster's record, Marko Friedl said, "First of all, we greatly admire his character. He has endured much criticism over the years, but Marko Arnautovic has consistently demonstrated exceptional personal qualities. Every time he scores, we are happy for him and can feel his relief. Arnautovic himself has stated that no one in the world of football can accomplish something like this alone, and it is an honor to be a part of it. Some records stand for a long time, while others will be remembered forever."  

“We get along very well. Of course, I also get along very well with the other players. Many of my teammates who played with me in the youth national team are now playing in the Bundesliga, so I see Austrian players almost every week, and our connection is naturally even stronger. These teammates are all very nice people, and the atmosphere in the national team is very harmonious, like a big family, so time always flies when I'm with them.”