Werder trio set for World Cup qualifying action | OneFootball

Romano Schmid has been frequently utilised by Rangnick of late (Photo: ÖFB/Kelemen).

Marco Friedl hoping to make his Austria comeback after three years away

SV Werder traditionally enjoy a close connection with neighbouring country, Austria. Several generations of footballers have repeatedly found their way from the Alps to Bremen. In Romano Schmid, Marco Grüll and Marco Friedl, three current Werder players have also been called up to the latest Austria national team squad. The latter is now hoping to make a first appearance in his nation’s colours for three years.

Florian Grillitsch and Marko Arnautovic mark two further ex-Werder players to have made the squad, with the latter travelling for international duty following defeat in the Champions League final with Inter Milan. Head coach Ralf Rangnick’s side will first face Romania at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion (Saturday, 7th June, 20:45 CEST) as part of their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA, before taking on San Marino three days later (Tuesday, 10th June 2025, 20:45 CEST).

After SVW club captain Marco Friedl was named in the Austria squad again in October 2024, he could now receive his sixth international cap almost exactly three years to the day after his fifth. “I’m delighted to have been called up,” said the 27-year-old, who has kept close contact with many of his national team colleagues. “I’m really looking forward to these two fixtures, stepping on the gas in training and hoping that I get to play. It’s always nice to head off on international duty and it serves as a great way for me to round off a relatively successful season.”

Romano Schmid has established himself as a regular under Rangnick over the course of past year. The Werder midfielder has featured in each of Austria’s last 20 international fixtures, even starting the last 10. Marco Grüll was also involved last time out, in the UEFA Nations League play-off defeat at the hands of Serbia, marking a sixth cap for his country.

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