Austria’s World Cup 2026 campaign starts with key absences under Rangnick
The Austrian national football team, under the leadership of coach Ralf Rangnick, kicked off its 2026 World Cup qualification campaign with a training session in Paphos, Cyprus. The session, held under sunny skies and warm temperatures, saw some notable absences and withdrawals. Ralf Rangnick, who took charge in June 2022, has set ambitious goals for the team, including participation in the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico. However, the team's preparations were affected by several absences. David Alaba and Philipp Mwene were suspended and missed the session due to disciplinary reasons. In addition, three players were absent for load management purposes. Nikolaus Wurmbrand, Christoph Baumgartner, and Philipp Lienhart were given rest to prevent fatigue and potential injuries. Midfielder Xaver Schlager also left the session early, withdrawing to the fitness room after the warm-up. Despite these absences, the Austrian team began its World Cup qualification journey under the watchful eye of coach Rangnick. The team will look to build on this session and prepare for the upcoming qualifiers, with high hopes for the 2026 tournament.
