Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Which countries fought for the Central Powers in World War I?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
20th-century international relations
American naval scholar Alfred Thayer Mahan, undated photo.
In the context of World War I, the Central Powers coalition was primarily composed of the German Empire and Austria-Hungary.1
While these nations were originally part of the Triple Alliance alongside Italy, Italy ultimately entered the war in opposition to them. The coalition expanded as other nations joined the conflict on the side of the Central Powers:1
- Ottoman Empire: Joined the war on October 29, 1914.1
- Bulgaria: Formally committed to the Central Powers and declared war on Serbia on October 14, 1915, after being courted by both sides.12