Rehabilitation program with the national team
Despite injury: Bundesliga star travels to the World Cup quarters
June 10, 2026 – 10:07 amReading time: 1 min.
Leipzig’s Christoph Baumgartner misses the World Cup due to an injury – but is still traveling to the USA. A special situation awaits him there in the Austrian team camp.
Despite a muscle injury in his right thigh, Austrian national player Christoph Baumgartner is traveling to the USA for the World Cup. The attacking midfielder from RB Leipzig will complete his rehab at the Austrian national team’s team camp in Santa Barbara – at his own request in order to support his teammates on site.
Both the Austrian Football Association (ÖFB) and RB Leipzig have granted the 26-year-old’s wish. As RB announced, Baumgartner will work on his comeback in Santa Barbara under medical support from the ÖFB and in close coordination with his club.
Baumgartner sustained the injury while warming up before the international friendly against Tunisia. Austria won the game 1-0. He then underwent surgery in Turku, Finland.
At the World Cup, Austria will face defending champions Argentina, Algeria and Jordan in the group stage. The selection coach is the German Ralf Rangnick.