2004–05 international season, the Austria national football team was heavily focused on their qualification campaign for the 2006 FIFA World Cup under the management of legendary striker Hans Krankl. Competing in UEFA Qualification Group 6, "Das Team" endured an inconsistent and ultimately disappointing run that saw them fall short of qualification. Highlights from the campaign included a hard-fought 2–2 draw against England in Vienna and a 2–0 victory over Azerbaijan, but defensive vulnerabilities and frustrating setbacks—such as a 3–3 draw against Northern Ireland and defeats to Poland—left Austria trailing behind the group's frontrunners. Off the pitch, the season also marked a notable visual identity shift as Krankl permanently changed the team's primary home kit from traditional white to red to mirror the national flag.