NEWS
Marcel Sabitzer takes a break from the Austrian National Team!
The 32-year-old key player has decided not to play for the Austrian national team for the remainder of this year.
The Austrian national football team will have to do without Marcel Sabitzer for the remaining international matches of 2026.
As announced by the ÖFB in a press release, the 32-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder has decided not to be available for the upcoming UEFA Nations League international matches.
Whether he will return to the Austrian squad for the EURO 2028 qualification matches will be decided early next year.
Sabitzer wants to manage his energy carefully
"The past two years have been very intense. Since EURO 2024, due to the Club World Cup and the FIFA World Cup, I've practically played through three seasons. This season also awaits with a packed schedule including the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and Champions League. I am 32 years old, want to play football at the highest level for several more years, and must manage my energy carefully," said Sabitzer in an ÖFB press release.
Sabitzer continued: "I have therefore agreed with the national team coach in trusting and open discussions that I will now take a break and that we will discuss early next year whether I will return to the national team for the Euro qualification."
Rangnick: "National Team is still important to him"
ÖFB national team coach Ralf Rangnick explained: "Marcel and I spoke very openly about the future even before the World Cup, and he shared his thoughts with me, which I can fully understand."
Rangnick continued: "Of course, it's a shame that we will have to do without him in the Nations League. However, we will then jointly decide how to proceed in good time before the start of the EURO 2028 qualification matches."
"In any case, I'm pleased that Marcel will generally be available again when we need him. That shows me how important the national team still is to him," said the ÖFB national team coach.
ÖFB squad to be announced on Monday
On September 14, 2026, Rangnick will announce his squad for the upcoming UEFA Nations League 2026/27 matches. It kicks off on September 24 with a home match against Israel in Linz.
On September 27, the duel with Kosovo will follow at Vienna's Ernst-Happel-Stadion. The Austrian team will then play on October 1 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, and on October 4, they will visit Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Pristina to play against Kosovo.
