Austria confirmed that captain David Alaba cleared to travel for the 2026 World Cup after a muscle strain forced his substitution at half‑time in a 1‑0 friendly win over Tunisia on Monday. The defender, a former Bayern Munich and Real Madrid player, will join the squad in the United States, restoring the team’s defensive options. His clearance eases doubts on the back‑line.

Midfielder Christoph Baumgartner will miss the tournament following a thigh injury sustained during the pre‑match warm‑up on Monday. The 26‑year‑old was a key figure for RB Leipzig, tallying 17 goals and nine assists across all competitions last season. Austria coach Ralf Rangnick called the loss “bitter” and pledged full support for the player’s recovery. His absence forces a reshuffle of the midfield hierarchy.

Austria opens its World Cup campaign against Jordan on 16 June, then faces defending champions Argentina on 22 June before closing the group with Algeria on 28 June. Without Baumgartner’s creativity in midfield, Rangnick will likely lean on Alaba’s experience to balance the side, making squad depth a decisive factor in the group stage. Marko Arnautović will shoulder additional attacking responsibility.