Relaxation in Germany’s Covid-19 regulations give Austria a huge boost
Austria may yet be able to call on virtually a full-strength squad for this week’s opening World Cup qualifier with Scotland.
Steve Clarke’s side start on the road to Qatar 2022 on Thursday with a vital Hampden clash against one of the favourites for the group.
The Austrians looked certain to be severely depleted, with 19 players from the Bundesliga unable to travel because of Germany’s Covid-19 restrictions.
Manager Franco Foda named a bloated 43-man squad on Friday because it looked like he would have to play with two squads for their opening three World Cup qualifiers.
But they have been handed a glimmer of hope after Germany’s Robert Koch Institute – which monitors the Covid situation in Germany – confirmed the UK will no longer be considered a virus variant area from today.
Instead, it has been downgraded to an area with an increased risk of Covid infection.
That would mean Austria’s 19 German-based players would see their quarantine period reduced from 14 days to five when they return from Scotland.
And there would be no reason for Bundesliga clubs not to release them.
However, manager Foda is still reliant on clubs allowing them to do that because FIFA have announced clubs don’t have to release players for this international break.
Austrian FA managing director, Bernhard Neuhold, said: “We now have some optimism, and the chances of getting some – if not all – of these players are higher.
“We will seek clarification and confirmation with German clubs.
“But this is why we decided to name a 43-man squad.”
Austria, however, are still definitely without top scorer, Marko Arnautovic, who has not been released by Shanghai Port, and team captain, Julian Baumgartlinger, who is injured.
And French-based former Old Firm target, Adrian Grbic, is also out because French clubs aren’t releasing players for nations who are playing qualifiers outside the EU, which now includes Scotland.