Marcel Sabitzer Pauses Austria International Career Ahead of Euro 2028

Marcel Sabitzer, one of the pillars of Austria’s modern era, is stepping off the international stage – at least for a while.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has informed the Austrian Football Association that he will not feature in this year’s UEFA Nations League group-stage campaign. His decision, reported in Austria and confirmed by officials, leaves Ralf Rangnick without his most experienced outfield leader just as a new competitive cycle begins.

Sabitzer, 32, isn’t retiring. Not yet. He is drawing a line in the calendar.

The plan is clear: he will reassess his international future before qualification for Euro 2028 kicks off next March. Only then will he decide whether to return and extend a national-team career that already reads 102 caps and 27 goals.

Three Seasons in Two Years

Sabitzer has pointed directly at the schedule. The last two years have been relentless.

After Euro 2024, he described his workload as the equivalent of playing three seasons, squeezed together by the Club World Cup and the World Cup on top of his club duties. Now comes another heavy campaign with Dortmund: Bundesliga, German Cup, Champions League. Every competition demands full throttle.

At some point, something had to give. This time, it’s the national team.

He has spoken with Rangnick and agreed on a break. Both sides will sit down again early next year to discuss whether he re-joins the squad for the Euro 2028 qualifiers. No farewell tour, no grand announcement. Just a pause, with the door left open.

Rangnick Regrets Absence, Accepts Logic

Ralf Rangnick did not hide his disappointment. Losing a player of Sabitzer’s stature strips Austria of experience, goals and a voice that has been central in the dressing room for years. But the coach accepts the reasoning.

Rangnick has made it clear he understands the physical and mental toll on a player who has carried heavy minutes at the highest level for club and country. A final decision on Sabitzer’s longer-term role will be taken before the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign starts.

In the meantime, the calendar does not wait.

Nations League Without Its Midfield General

Rangnick is preparing to name his squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures, and he must now do it without his most decorated midfielder.

Austria face Israel in Linz on 24 September and Kosovo in Vienna on 29 September. October brings two more tests on the road: Ireland in Dublin and a return meeting with Kosovo in Pristina.

These matches will shape the early phase of Austria’s next cycle and offer others a chance to step into the space Sabitzer leaves behind. The armband, the set pieces, the big moments in midfield – all suddenly up for grabs.

Sabitzer, meanwhile, will be watching from afar, knowing that the next time Austria line up for a competitive campaign, the question will hang over both him and his country: does he come back for one more run at a major tournament, or has the national team already seen the last of its 102-cap playmaker?