Phillipp Mwene is set to miss Thursday’s knockout clash with Spain after the Austria full-back sustained a thigh injury during training.
Austria have been dealt a defensive blow ahead of their 2026 World Cup round-of-32 encounter against Spain, with left-back Phillipp Mwene ruled out through a right thigh injury. The Austrian Football Association (OFB) confirmed the news on Wednesday.
The FSV Mainz defender, who started the last two group stage matches against Argentina and Algeria, sustained the problem during Tuesday’s training session.
According to reports in the Austrian sports media, Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich), one of the team’s standout performers of the tournament so far, is expected to cover Mwene’s position.
While an MRI scan confirmed the injury is not serious, an OFB source indicated that the 32-year-old is a certain absentee for the clash with La Roja.
The remaining 25 Austria squad members trained in Santa Barbara on Wednesday afternoon before their scheduled bus journey to Los Angeles on Thursday.
Should they progress past Spain, Ralf Rangnick’s side will travel directly from Los Angeles to Dallas, where next Monday’s round-of-16 tie against the winner of the Portugal vs Croatia clash awaits.
