Austria World Cup 2026 squad announced by Rangnick

Vienna, Austria — May 18, 2026 Austria’s national team manager Ralf Rangnick unveiled his 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Monday, opting for continuity with few surprises in the selection. ## Squad Composition The squad features a mix of experienced veterans and emerging talents, with 22 spots reportedly locked in before Monday’s announcement. Goalkeepers Alexander Schlager and Patrick Pentz retain their roles as starters, while 2.05-meter-tall Florian Wiegele earns his place as the third-choice keeper. Rangnick praised Wiegele, describing him as having an "einzigartiges Profil, große Statur, aber auch mit enormen technischen Fähigkeiten ausgestattet" ("unique profile, tall stature, but also equipped with enormous technical skills"). Defensive stalwarts David Alaba and Philipp Lienhart anchor the backline, with David Affengruber and Michael Svoboda also included. Notably absent are Gernot Trauner and Maximilian Wöber, who were ruled out due to injury risks. Rangnick emphasized Trauner’s readiness as a backup, stating, "Gernot steht Gewehr bei Fuß, wenn sich irgendjemand aus der Verteidigung noch verletzen sollte" ("Gernot is ready to step in if anyone in defense gets injured"). ## Midfield and Attack The midfield boasts depth with Leipzig’s Christoph Baumgartner and Bayern Munich’s Konrad Laimer, alongside Dortmund’s Marcel Sabitzer. Youngsters Paul Wanner and Carney Chukwuemeka add fresh energy, while Alessandro Schöpf retains his spot despite a challenging season. Up front, Marko Arnautovic leads the attack alongside Michael Gregoritsch and Sasa Kalajdzic, who recently helped LASK secure a domestic title. Rangnick opted against including additional forwards like Marco Grüll or Raul Florucz, sticking with his core trio. ## Preparations and Schedule The team will assemble at the ÖFB Campus in Vienna-Aspern on May 27 for training before a final warm-up match against Tunisia on June 1 at Ernst-Happel-Stadion. They will then fly to their World Cup base in California on June 4, staying at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Bacara in Goleta. Austria opens their Group Stage campaign against Jordan on June 16 in Santa Clara, followed by clashes with Argentina on June 22 in Dallas and Algeria on June 28 in Kansas City. ## Key Absences and Backup Plans Unlike during Euro 2024, when injuries sidelined Alaba and Xaver Schlager, Rangnick enters this tournament with a fully fit squad. However, FIFA rules allow for last-minute replacements if injuries occur up to 24 hours before the opener. Rangnick confirmed he will not exceed the 26-player limit to avoid disappointing players who might be cut after training. The official squad submission deadline to FIFA is June 1, but Rangnick has already finalized his selections.

Austria Names 26-Man Squad for 2026 World Cup Under Rangnick

Squad Composition

Midfield and Attack

Preparations and Schedule

Key Absences and Backup Plans