Austria and RB Leipzig have suffered a major setback ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with star midfielder Christoph Baumgartner officially ruled out of the tournament due to a thigh muscle injury.
The 26-year-old picked up the injury during the warm-up before Austria’s international friendly against Tunisia. Subsequent MRI scans confirmed the severity of the problem, forcing him to withdraw from the World Cup squad.
Baumgartner was expected to play a crucial role for Austria after enjoying an outstanding season with RB Leipzig. The attacking midfielder contributed 17 goals and 9 assists across all competitions, establishing himself as one of the team’s most influential players.
Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick described the news as a huge disappointment, calling Baumgartner a key figure both on and off the pitch. The coach emphasized that the team’s focus is now on supporting the player’s recovery.
The injury comes at the worst possible time for Austria, who are preparing to begin their World Cup campaign later this month. Baumgartner’s creativity, goal-scoring ability, and experience were expected to be central to Austria’s hopes of progressing from a challenging group.
There was at least some positive news for the Austrians, as captain David Alaba has been cleared to travel with the squad after recovering from a minor muscle issue.
For Baumgartner, the setback is particularly heartbreaking as he was set to feature in the biggest tournament of his career after one of the finest seasons of his professional journey. Austria must now look for alternative options as they prepare for their opening World Cup fixtures.
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