PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Alessandro André Schöpf |
| Date of Birth | 7 February 1994 (Age: 32) |
| Place of Birth | Umhausen, Tyrol, Austria |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Height | 1.78 m / 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 74 kg |
| Position | Midfielder / Defensive Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #18 (LASK) |
| Current Club | LASK |
| Previous Clubs | Bayern Munich II, 1. FC Nürnberg, Schalke 04, Arminia Bielefeld, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Wolfsberger AC |
| International Caps | 35 |
| International Goals | 6 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 (squad member, did not play) |
| Contract Until | 2028 |
| Market Value | €477.6K (peak: €7.9M, Dec 2018) |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. For Alessandro Schöpf, the 32-year-old midfielder from Umhausen, it was the culmination of a journey that had taken him from Bayern Munich’s youth academy to the global stage. Austria had not qualified for a World Cup since 1998, but under Ralf Rangnick, they had finally broken the drought.
On 18 May 2026, Schöpf was named in Austria’s 26-man squad for the tournament—his second major tournament with the ÖFB, following Euro 2020. It was a reward for his consistency and professionalism, qualities that had seen him play for some of Europe’s biggest clubs and earn 35 caps for his country.
At the tournament, Schöpf was an unused substitute in all of Austria’s group-stage matches—against Jordan (3-1 win), Argentina (2-0 loss), and Algeria (3-3 draw)—as well as the Round of 32 clash against Spain. He did not play a single minute. Yet his presence in the squad, as a veteran of the Austrian midfield, was a testament to his standing in the national team setup. “It was an incredible experience to be part of Austria’s first World Cup since 1998,” Schöpf reflected.
Origins
Alessandro André Schöpf was born on 7 February 1994 in Umhausen, Tyrol, Austria. His football journey began at SV Längenfeld in 1999, where he spent eight years developing his game. In 2007, he joined AKA Tirol, the regional youth academy, before making the move that would define his career.
In 2009, at just 15 years old, Schöpf joined the prestigious Bayern Munich youth academy. He spent three years in the junior team, progressing through the U-17 and U-19 ranks before being promoted to the reserve squad in 2012.
The Professional Forge
Bayern Munich II (2012-2014):
Schöpf made his debut for Bayern Munich II on the opening day of the 2012-13 season in a 1-1 draw with Augsburg II. He made 28 appearances in his first season and became the team’s top scorer with 11 goals. The following season, he made 34 appearances, again scoring 11 goals, as Bayern II won the Regionalliga Bayern title. In November 2013, he was given a first-team contract, although he made no appearances during the 2013-14 season as Bayern went on to win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double. In total, he made 63 appearances and scored 22 goals for Bayern II.
1. FC Nürnberg (2014-2016):
In July 2014, Schöpf signed for 2. Bundesliga club 1. FC Nürnberg. He made his debut on the opening day of the 2014-15 season. Over two seasons at Nürnberg, he made 51 league appearances and scored 11 goals, establishing himself as a consistent performer in the German second tier.
Schalke 04 (2016-2021):
In January 2016, Schöpf moved to Schalke 04, signing a contract until 2019. His time at Schalke was the most significant period of his career. Despite suffering a cruciate knee injury, he impressed manager Domenico Tedesco, earning a contract extension to 2021. Tedesco praised him as “almost a complete player… very diligent and runs many, many kilometres in each game… versatile and always wants to play.”
Over five seasons at Schalke, Schöpf made 112 Bundesliga appearances, scoring 10 goals. He also made 15 DFB-Pokal appearances and featured 16 times in European competition. In total, he made 143 appearances for the club, scoring 16 goals.
Arminia Bielefeld (2021-2022):
On 19 July 2021, Schöpf joined Bundesliga club Arminia Bielefeld on a two-year contract. He made 31 league appearances and scored 1 goal during the 2021-22 season. Arminia were relegated at the end of the season, and Schöpf left the club.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC (2022-2024):
On 3 August 2022, Schöpf joined MLS club Vancouver Whitecaps FC. He signed through the 2024 season with a club option for 2025. He made his debut on 13 August 2022.
His most productive season at Vancouver came in 2024. He made 43 appearances, starting 29, scored 1 goal, and provided 3 assists. He was named to the MLS Team of the Matchday for a man-of-the-match performance against Toronto FC on 6 April 2024. During his time at Vancouver, he won the Canadian Championship twice, in 2023 and 2024. In total, he made 65 MLS appearances and scored 2 goals for the Whitecaps.
Wolfsberger AC (2025-2026):
On 6 February 2025, Schöpf returned to Austria, signing with Wolfsberger AC. In the 2024-25 season, he made 8 league appearances and scored 2 goals. In the 2025-26 season, he made 24 league appearances and scored 5 goals, as well as featuring in European competition. In total, he made 32 league appearances and scored 7 goals for Wolfsberger. He also won the Austrian Cup with Wolfsberger in the 2024-25 season.
LASK (2026-Present):
On 20 May 2026, following his World Cup selection, Schöpf joined LASK. In the 2026-27 season, he has made 3 league appearances. He has also featured in Champions League qualification, playing 64 minutes across two legs against Celtic. His contract runs until June 2028.
International Career
Youth Career:
Schöpf represented Austria at various youth levels. He made 10 appearances for the U19s and 20 appearances for the U21s, scoring 8 goals.
Senior Debut & Euro 2016:
Schöpf made his senior debut for Austria on 27 March 2016, coming on as an 87th-minute substitute in a friendly against Albania. He was selected for UEFA Euro 2016 and scored Austria’s only goal of the tournament, equalising against Iceland.
World Cup Qualifying & Friendlies:
Schöpf scored a memorable winner against Germany in a June 2018 friendly, helping Austria defeat the reigning world champions. He was named in the squad for Euro 2020.
2026 World Cup Campaign:
On 18 May 2026, Schöpf was selected in Ralf Rangnick’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was an unused substitute in all of Austria’s matches, but his inclusion was a reward for his experience and professionalism.
International Record:
Schöpf has earned 35 caps for Austria and scored 6 international goals. His goals include strikes against Malta (pre-Euro 2016 friendly), Iceland (Euro 2016), and Germany (2018 friendly).
The Anatomy of His Game
Schöpf is a right-footed midfielder known for his versatility, work rate, and tactical intelligence. He can play as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder, or attacking midfielder. His position is primarily as a defensive midfielder or central midfielder.
In Possession:
Schöpf is a composed passer who contributes to build-up play. His attacking output is significant—he has scored 54 goals in 360 career appearances across all competitions. In the 2025-26 season for Wolfsberger, he scored 5 goals in 24 league appearances. He is also a capable creator, having registered 26 assists in his Bundesliga career. His shot-creating actions at Arminia Bielefeld ranked in the top 10 percent of midfielders in Europe.
Out of Possession:
Schöpf is known for his work rate and versatility. Former Schalke manager Domenico Tedesco described him as “very diligent and runs many, many kilometres in each game.” He is a versatile player who “always wants to play, no matter which position it is.” His defensive contributions are solid, though he is primarily valued for his attacking qualities. He has accumulated 54 goals and 60 assists in his career across all competitions.
Psychological Edge:
Schöpf’s career is defined by adaptability and professionalism. He has played for seven clubs across three countries, adapting to different leagues and footballing cultures. His work rate and commitment have made him a favourite of his managers.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2026 World Cup Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TABLE B: 2025/26 Season Snapshot
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austrian Bundesliga (WAC) | 24 | — | 5 | — | — |
| LASK | 3 | 82 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Champions League (LASK) | 2 | 64 | 0 | 0 | — |
TABLE C: Career (League Only)
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayern Munich II | 2012-2014 | 63 | 22 |
| 1. FC Nürnberg | 2014-2016 | 51 | 11 |
| Schalke 04 | 2016-2021 | 112 | 10 |
| Arminia Bielefeld | 2021-2022 | 31 | 1 |
| Vancouver Whitecaps | 2022-2024 | 65 | 2 |
| Wolfsberger AC | 2025-2026 | 32 | 7 |
| LASK | 2026-Present | 3 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | 360 | 54 |
TABLE D: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Austria Senior Career | 35 | 6 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 |
| UEFA Euro 2016 | 3 | 1 |
| UEFA Euro 2020 | 1 | 0 |
TABLE E: Major Trophy Honours
| Competition | Titles Won |
|---|---|
| Regionalliga Bayern | 1 (2013-14, Bayern Munich II) |
| Bundesliga | 1 (2013-14, Bayern Munich) |
| DFB-Pokal | 1 (2013-14, Bayern Munich) |
| Canadian Championship | 2 (2023, 2024, Vancouver Whitecaps) |
| Austrian Cup | 1 (2024-25, Wolfsberger AC) |
What these figures reveal is a player who has been a consistent performer across multiple clubs and leagues. His 360 league appearances and 54 goals reflect a career of sustained output, while his 35 caps and 6 international goals underscore his importance to the Austrian national team. His 2025-26 season with Wolfsberger, where he scored 7 goals in 32 appearances, demonstrated his attacking quality at age 32. His market value peaked at €7.9 million in December 2018.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Schöpf’s career is defined by adaptability and professionalism. He has played for seven clubs across three countries, adapting to different leagues and footballing cultures. His time at Vancouver Whitecaps saw him become the first Austrian international to play for the club.
His connection to Austrian football remained strong throughout his career. His return to Austria with Wolfsberger and LASK reflected a desire to finish his career in his homeland. His World Cup selection in 2026 was the culmination of a career built on consistency and professionalism.
The Verdict from the Camp
Domenico Tedesco, Former Schalke Manager:
“Almost a complete player. He is very diligent and runs many, many kilometres in each game. He is versatile and always wants to play, no matter which position it is. In addition, he is technically savvy, is brave and a great person.”
Vancouver Whitecaps Official:
“A midfielder with plenty of experience playing in some of the top competitions in world football.”
Ralf Rangnick, Austria Head Coach:
Rangnick selected Schöpf for the 2026 World Cup squad, valuing his experience and leadership.
Where Next?
Alessandro Schöpf is 32 years old and under contract with LASK until 2028. His return to Austrian football with LASK after a successful spell at Wolfsberger marks a new chapter in his career. He has already featured in Champions League qualification for LASK and is expected to be a key player for the club in the Austrian Bundesliga.
For Austria, Schöpf has been a reliable international option. With 35 caps and experience at two European Championships and a World Cup, he is one of the most experienced players in the squad. His future with the national team will depend on his form at club level.
From Umhausen to Munich, from Nürnberg to Schalke, from Vancouver to Wolfsberger, and from the World Cup to LASK, Alessandro Schöpf’s journey is a story of adaptability, consistency, and professionalism. The boy who joined Bayern Munich at 15 is now a veteran of 35 caps, a World Cup player, and a symbol of Austrian football’s resilience on the global stage.
