Austria's Alaba fit for World Cup while Baumgartner misses out in 2026

Austria defender David Alaba recovered from a muscle issue in time for the World Cup, but midfielder Christoph Baumgartner will miss the tournament due to a thigh injury.

Austria's squad update Austria captain David Alaba has been cleared to join the national team for the World Cup after sustaining a muscle problem during a match on Monday. The former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich defender was substituted at half-time against Tunisia and later passed fitness tests to travel to the United States with the squad. However, RB Leipzig midfielder Christoph Baumgartner will not be part of the campaign after suffering an injury during pre-match warm-ups. The football association confirmed Baumgartner's absence from the tournament on Tuesday. ## Baumgartner's absence impact Baumgartner's thigh muscle strain has ruled him out of Austria's World Cup squad, dealing a significant blow to the team's hopes. The 26-year-old had been a key performer in Germany, contributing 17 goals and nine assists across all competitions for the Bundesliga club during the season. Coach Ralf Rangnick expressed disappointment over the situation, calling Baumgartner an important player and a core figure within the team. Rangnick added that the team's focus now shifts to supporting Baumgartner's recovery. ## Austria's World Cup schedule Austria will begin their World Cup journey against Jordan on 16 June, setting the stage for their campaign. The team is then scheduled to face defending world champions Argentina on 22 June, a highly anticipated clash. Their final group-stage match is set for 28 June against Algeria, completing their set of fixtures. The squad's preparation and travel plans are underway following the injury updates.