Austria midfielder Christoph Baumgartner will not participate in the 2026 World Cup after suffering a thigh muscle injury during a warm-up before the friendly against Tunisia on June 1. An MRI confirmed he cannot play in the tournament, officials said on June 2 [1, 2].
The 26-year-old RB Leipzig player has scored 17 goals and provided nine assists this season. His absence is a major blow to the Austrian squad. Head coach Ralf Rangnick called the injury "very bitter news for Christoph and for us as a team," underscoring Baumgartner's importance [1, 3].
Despite the setback, Austria will not call up a replacement for Baumgartner, a decision announced on June 3 [3, 4]. Meanwhile, team captain David Alaba, 33, who was briefly sidelined with a muscle injury during the Tunisia match, has been cleared to travel with the squad [1, 2].
Austria's World Cup group begins on June 16 against Jordan, followed by matches against Argentina and Algeria [1, 2]. The team is scheduled to depart for the United States on June 4 [1, 3].
With Baumgartner sidelined, Austria must adjust its midfield options ahead of its first World Cup match in less than a month.
