Christoph Baumgartner will miss the 2026 World Cup. The 26-year-old RB Leipzig attacker injured his right thigh in the warm-up before Austria's final friendly against Tunisia; an MRI confirmed the bad news. So who replaces him for Austria? The short answer: for now, no new call-up — Ralf Rangnick is redistributing the role within his squad.
As of June 9, 2026. Austria open their World Cup against Jordan on June 17.
Who replaces Baumgartner for Austria?
Rangnick has not called up a replacement so far. In the Tunisia friendly he started Michael Gregoritsch instead — a classic striker who doesn't replace Baumgartner's runs and tempo one-for-one. More realistically, the central-attacking role will be shared:
- Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund) — can push forward from the eight and take on Baumgartner's runs into the box. The likeliest beneficiary.
- Romano Schmid and Patrick Wimmer — both bring creativity and pace for the half-spaces.
- Paul Wanner (PSV Eindhoven) — the talent could be handed responsibility sooner than expected.
- Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich) — a tireless all-rounder and flexible fix if Rangnick wants to pack the midfield.
Importantly, a replacement can still be registered until the day before the first group game on June 17. Rangnick is keeping his options open — if another player gets hurt in training, he can still react.
What the absence means for Austria
Under Rangnick, Baumgartner was a key man: a pressing machine, a box-crasher, a goal threat from midfield. His absence costs Austria exactly the kind of dynamism they need against the deep blocks they'll face in a group with Argentina, Algeria and Jordan. The good news: the midfield is deep, and with Sabitzer, Laimer, Seiwald and Schlager there's an axis that can absorb the loss.
For your prediction round, that means Austria's opener against Jordan is a touch less predictable without the injured Baumgartner — useful to know before you lock in your scoreline.
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Why is Christoph Baumgartner out of the 2026 World Cup?
Baumgartner injured his right thigh during the warm-up before the friendly against Tunisia. An MRI confirmed he cannot take part in the World Cup.
Who replaces Baumgartner in Austria's squad?
Ralf Rangnick has not called up a replacement for now and initially filled the starting spot with Michael Gregoritsch. His central-attacking role is likely to be shared internally — chiefly by Marcel Sabitzer, plus Romano Schmid, Patrick Wimmer and the talent Paul Wanner. A late call-up remains possible until the day before the first match.
When does Austria play at the 2026 World Cup?
In Group J, Austria face Jordan on June 17, Argentina on June 22 and Algeria on June 28.
Explore more: 50 players to watch at the World Cup · Austria's World Cup opponents, form-checked · 2026 World Cup prediction game: the full guide · World Cup 2026 favourites: Spain overtakes France
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