Injury to Baumgartner hands Ljubicic first World Cup call-up after three-year Austria absence

Dejan Ljubicic has been called into Austria’s 2026 World Cup squad after Christoph Baumgartner was ruled out with a right thigh injury sustained during a warm-up for a pre-tournament friendly against Tunisia last week, requiring surgery.

Austria head coach Ralf Rangnick confirmed the late call-up on Wednesday, with Ljubicic set to join the squad at their training camp in Santa Barbara on Thursday. Austria open their Group J campaign against Jordan on Tuesday, before facing Argentina and Algeria.

The recall ends a near three-year absence from the national team for the 28-year-old midfielder. His last cap came in a friendly against Moldova in September 2023, and he was not included in any of Austria’s World Cup qualifying squads.

Ljubicic brings a different profile to the role vacated by Baumgartner. Where Baumgartner is an attacking force — he scored 17 goals in all competitions for RB Leipzig last season — Ljubicic operates primarily as a defensive midfielder. He plays his club football for Schalke, who secured promotion from the German second division last month.

Baumgartner, who has nine caps for Austria, has remained with the squad in a support capacity despite being unavailable to play. Ljubicic himself has nine senior appearances for Austria but has never featured at a major tournament, making this World Cup a significant first.

Austria’s Group J draw — which includes Argentina — means Rangnick’s side face a demanding opening stage, and the loss of Baumgartner’s creativity and goal threat is a notable blow as they prepare for their debut on the world stage.