Rangnick Picks 26-Man Austria Squad for World Cup Return

Ralf Rangnick names Austria Squad for World Cup

Austria’s squad for the 2026 World Cup blends experience and youth. Veteran striker Arnautovic will lead the line, while dual-nationals Wanner and Chukwuemeka are included after switching allegiance this year.

Ralf Rangnick named Marko Arnautovic in Austria’s 26-man World Cup squad for North America. Newly naturalised midfielders Paul Wanner and Carney Chukwuemeka also make the cut as Austria return after 28 years...

Veteran striker Marko Arnautovic will lead Austria’s attack at the World Cup. Head coach Ralf Rangnick named the 26-man squad on Monday, and Austria’s record appearance maker is set to start in North America.

The selection confirms the 37-year-old forward as a key part of the squad. He joins an experienced core that includes captain David Alaba and midfielder Marcel Sabitzer as Austria return to the World Cup after a 28-year absence.

Beyond the veteran leadership, Rangnick has added a strong injection of youth to the squad. The call-ups of newly naturalised talents Paul Wanner and Carney Chukwuemeka are the standout choices.

Both midfielders hold dual nationality and play for PSV Eindhoven and Borussia Dortmund respectively. They committed to Austria earlier this year and have been moved into the senior squad quickly.

Austria have good depth in midfield, but Rangnick faced a tough call in central defence. That decision left several players who are regulars in tournaments out of the squad.

Long-term injuries proved costly for Feyenoord’s Gernot Trauner and Werder Bremen’s Maximilian Wober. Both returned to club action in April, but Rangnick felt they were not yet at peak match fitness.

“Ultimately, we decided based on what we already knew and what's needed for a tournament like this, which lasts a long time. We want ‌to go as far as possible at the World Cup,” Rangnick said on Monday.

“We tried to invite the best players, but also those who are the right fit for our style of play.”

Austria have been drawn in Group J. They will open the tournament against Jordan, then face Argentina and Algeria.

Austria's squad for the World Cup

Goalkeepers: Patrick Pentz (Brondby), Alexander Schlager (Red Bull Salzburg), Florian Wiegele (Viktoria Plzen)

Defenders: David Affengruber (Elche), David Alaba (Real Madrid), Kevin Danso (Tottenham ‌Hotspur), Marco Friedl (Werder Bremen), Philipp Lienhart (Freiburg), Phillipp Mwene (Mainz), Stefan Posch (Mainz), Alexander Prass (Hoffenheim), Michael Svoboda (Venezia)

Midfielders: Christoph Baumgartner (RB Leipzig), Carney Chukwuemeka (Borussia Dortmund), Florian Grillitsch (Braga), Konrad Laimer (Bayern Munich), Marcel Sabitzer (Borussia Dortmund), Xaver Schlager (RB Leipzig), Romano Schmid (Werder Bremen), Alessandro Schopf (RZ Pellets WAC), Nicolas Seiwald (RB Leipzig), Paul Wanner (PSV Eindhoven), ⁠Patrick Wimmer (VfL Wolfsburg)

Forwards: Marko ⁠Arnautovic (Crvena Zvezda), Michael ‌Gregoritsch (Augsburg), Sasa Kalajdzic (LASK)

Das Warten hat ein Ende: Unser WM-Kader! ⚽️🇦🇹 #GemeinsamÖSTERREICH #GEMMA pic.twitter.com/6htTAhe0gp

— ÖFB - oefb.at (@oefb1904) May 18, 2026