ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga: Six standout young players who could define the 2026/27 season

ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga: Six standout young players who could define the 2026/27 season There has quite possibly never quite been as much excitement around a season of the ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga. With new champions Austria Wien having ousted serial winners SKN St. Pölten in the last minute of the 2025/26 season, there are several clubs now fighting for the title and the eventual champions are no longer a certainty. That being said, it’s not just the clubs who make the history, it’s the players. A season isn’t just remembered for historic moments, but the players and coaches who created the history on the pitch. Here are six players who I think will have a major impact on the 2026/27 ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga season. Almedina Šišić (FK Austria Wien) The Passionate One At 20 years old, Almedina Šišić is the second oldest player on this list. The right-sided attacking player is perhaps one of the most consistent players in the Bundesliga. Constantly pressuring opposition defences, causing forced errors relentlessly. She’s a real pacy powerhouse who will contribute anywhere from 5-10 goals a season. All while being one of the main creators for her teammates. Šišić was a key part of Austria Wien’s historic 2025/26 season, where they won their first league title and the ÖFB Frauen Cup. Last season, Šišić played 21 league games for FAK, contributing six goals along the way. When she’s not scoring goals, her movement off the ball is not only to find herself space, but to pull defenders out of the space her teammates occupy, creating opportunities for the team. One of her more notable skills is simply her character. Whenever Šišić is on the field for Austria Wien, you can hear her. At such a young age, the Scheibbs native has a tenacity that translates into a raw passion to win, verbally dragging that extra bit of effort from her teammates. Undoubtedly, no matter what happens in this season’s ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga’s title race, Almedina Šišić will play a key part in Austria Wien’s season. Almedina Šišić celebrates the ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga with teammate Louise Schöffel. Image: FK Austria Wien 2026 Ella Herbst (LASK) The Engine Having transferred this season to LASK from neighbouring team FC Blau-Weiß Linz/Kleinmünchen, it’ll no doubt be a defining season for the Ella Herbst. The 18-year-old has had two full seasons of first team football at the highest level in Austria already. Having represented the Blau-Weiß side of Linz 38 times in the league, she’s already achieved so much at her age. Herbst, who is a left-sided midfielder, was brought in at LASK amongst many other new faces. What head coach Markus Eitl can expect is a pacy, tenacious playmaker who will create open space along the sides of the pitch. Whether on her comfortable left side, or inverted down the right, she is effective in both. As effective as she is, you will find that opposition teams plan around her on the game-day. They focus their play away from her and pressing her in possession when possible. What really stands out about Herbst is her ability to dictate the tempo of the game, seemingly deciding when to push, or keep the tempo calm so her teammates around her can regain a calmness to their play. Herbst was also part of the Austria U19s side who made history in the recent European Championships. She played in four games throughout the competition, impressing both fans and media alike. Whilst LASK may not be challenging for the title in the ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga, Herbst will certainly ensure that they push to finish higher than last season’s seventh place. Image: LASK 2026 – Ella Herbst Sophia Zöger (SK Rapid) The Breakout Star There is absolutely no doubt about it, Sophia Zöger will be a huge part of the the footballing landscape for Austria both internationally and domestically. If she stays in the Bundesliga, that is. At just 17, Zöger is ridiculously talented. She has already written herself into the SK Rapid history book. Zöger was the first player to score a goal for SK Rapid in the ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga, and it was from about 30-yards out. The tactical forward has now played three senior games in her career and has scored two goals. What is also worth taking into consideration is the huge role she played in Austria’s recent U19 European Championship campaign. The competition was eventually won by Spain but Austria’s performance was a real talking point. They defied all expectations and reached the semi-finals , losing 1-0 to Germany. Zöger already has and surely will continue play a decisive part in SK Rapid’s season as they fight their way up the league after their promotion. Valentina Pötzl (FK Austria Wien) The Resilient One Valentina Pötzl is undoubtedly a name that will become household in Austrian women’s football culture within the next few years. The immensely talented 17-year-old broke onto the scene last season in the ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga for First Vienna, managing seven games in their first team before suffering a harrowing ACL injury that ended her season. Against all odds at her age, Pötzl has come back bigger, better and faster. Having signed for champions FK Austria Wien during the pre-season Pötzl has impressed, and recently started the first team fixture against LASK, in which FAK won 2-0 at home. With a subconscious awareness of where her teammates are, her passes open up opposition defences. With this, she is also relentlessly pacy, with the ability to leave the opposition chasing her down a wing to no avail. Even at her young age she demands the ball from teammates and doesn’t disappoint thereafter. There is a confidence in Pötzl that is way beyond her years and it no doubt effects the opposition players throughout fixtures. Pötzl also played a key part in Austria’s U19s campaign at the European Championships, playing four games and managing one assist. Her performances saw her take Austria’s only place in the UEFA Team of the Tournament . It’s testament to her ability and mental strength that she has managed to come back from a devastating injury and looks twice the player she did before. Image: Valentina Pötzl – FK Austria Wien 2026 Lena Breznik (SK Sturm Graz) The Conductor SK Sturm Graz are currently having an exceptional start to their season. Coach Tode Djakovic is known for his tactical prowess and given the recent investment in the squad, they look sure to build on their third place finish from last season. Apart from the obvious talents in Sturm Graz’s side, such as loanee Brigitta Pulins or Hungarian legend Lilla Sipos, they have a homegrown star in their midst, Lena Breznik. The 19-year-old Graz local has spent the last three seasons in the Sturm Graz first team. Having represented no other senior club, Breznik is a fan favourite and proof of the success of the SK Sturm Graz pathway. Having already contributed two goals this campaign, Breznik has equalled her tally from last season. A testament to her year-on-year improvement. The midfielder, who usually slots in comfortably in the centre, is a player who sees options before most others on the field seem to. A player that can create space for her teammates out of what looks like nothing to the average viewer. What has stood out most during Graz’s season so far is Breznik’s ability to adapt to different types of matches. If opponents sit deep, she can effectively look for a pass or movement to open it up. If the opposition leave space in behind, she will use her pace to pull players away and open up a chance for either Sipos or Pulins. It’s a rare ability for a midfielder to look so composed at all times on the pitch and she is one of the many reasons Sturm Graz are looking like genuine title contenders so far this season. Lena Breznik celebrates her goal with SK Sturm Graz teammate Marie Spiess during their 6-2 victory over SC Rheindorf Altach. (Photo by SK Sturm Graz) Magdalena Rukavina (SKN St. Pölten) The Tempo Queen At 21, Magdalena Rukavina is the most senior player in this list. Having signed for ousted champions SKN St. Pölten at the beginning of last season from First Vienna, it was signalled as a shrewd piece of business. The right-sided midfielder with a flare for offensive play has become a regular starter at the NV Arena so far in the 2026/27 campaign. Having gotten her goalscoring underway this season already in the UEFA Women’s Champions League against BSC Young Boys, she’s making a real impact on head coach Laurent Fassotte’s team. Rukavina seems to be an expert at slowing the tempo of game down, but also when to switch the play into an attack. There is a real ability she possesses to place a pass directly at the feet of a teammate or perfectly into that open bit of space where either Fanny Vago or Alma Aagaard will arrive milliseconds later. She rarely looks rushed in possession and has taken to Pölten’s two-touch philosophy in play extremely comfortably this season. It remains to be seen if Pölten will regain the ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga title this season. They currently they have a 100 percent win record. What is evident is that Magdalena Rukavina will play an essential part in their campaign to become champions once again. NUREMBERG, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 25: Magdalena Rukavina of Austria in Nuremberg, Germany. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images) The 2026/27 ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga will be historic For the first time in well over a decade, it feels as though there are several teams who could win this league. Will SK Sturm Graz’s investments pay off under the tactical guidance of Djakovic? Will SKN St. Pölten use revenge as the fuel that fires them to another league title in the record books? Or will Austria Wien begin a new dynasty in the league and win two-in-a-row? Whatever happens, these six young players will undoubtedly play key parts in their respective teams campaigns. They will be the players who develop years from now into genuine international stars. For some like Rukavina, the international set-up is no stranger. For others, debuts are surely soon to come. It’s an exciting time to watch the ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga, and for all the teams in the league, what a season it’s sure to be. Related articles from Her Football Hub: ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga: SK Sturm Graz sign Dutch defender Merel Bormans from FC Utrecht ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga: LASK make six new signings ahead of 2026/27 season ÖFB-Frauen Bundesliga results: Pfanner saves Austria Wien, First Vienna grab first win, Graz stay top