Austria’s national team head coach Ralf Rangnick announced his squad for the upcoming international matches this Monday afternoon - and our young goalkeeper Christian Zawieschitzky can celebrate his very first call-up to the senior national team! According to the coach, the plan is for our keeper to join the senior squad next week for at least the first two matches of the extended international break, before potentially switching to the U21 team for the European Championship qualifiers afterward.

It’s certainly something you dream about as a small child. I used to attend open Austria training sessions just to watch, since it was in my neighborhood, and I even took photos with players like David Alaba. I never imagined things would move this fast and that I’d suddenly be there as a player myself, but I’m very grateful to have this opportunity.

The call-up actually comes as a surprise to me. I thought that if I were to be included anywhere, it would likely be the U21s - which I would have thought was great, too. I didn't expect to be part of the senior national team right away. I’m just really looking forward to it - though I also know we have two matches coming up before the international break, and those are the priority right now.

Christian Zawieschitzky

Nikolas Veratschnig is also on board! Our wide player was previously named in an Austria squad last year but is still awaiting his international debut for Austria - his strong performances in recent weeks have now earned him another call-up

I’m absolutely delighted - honestly, even more so than before. I was with the national team once before but didn't get any playing time back then. My clear goal in moving to Salzburg was to prove myself again here and earn another call-up to the national team. I am absolutely delighted that this has worked out. I want to show the head coach what I’m capable of, give it my all in training, and make a lasting impression - and perhaps that will be enough to earn some playing time.

Nikolas Veratschnig

A packed schedule awaits the Austrian national team in the UEFA Nations League. It kicks off with two home matches: against Israel on Thursday, September 24 at 20:45 CEST, and against Kosovo on Sunday, September 27 at 18:00. Next come two away games: in Ireland on Thursday, October 1 at 20:45, and in Kosovo on Sunday, October 4 at 18:00. For the U21s, the European Championship qualifiers include a home match against Denmark on Friday, October 2 at 18:00, followed by an away game in Wales on Tuesday, October 6 at 18:30.

We would like to congratulate our boys on their nomination!

Austria squad: Zawieschitzky's first call-up, Veratschnig in again