-
Austria approved by FIFA to select Carney Chukwuemeka and Paul Wanner for the FIFA World Cup 2026
-
Ralf Rangnick’s Austria placed in a challenging group with Argentina, Algeria, and Jordan
-
Chukwuemeka switches from England, Wanner from Germany, now eligible for Austria
Austria has received FIFA’s approval to include former England and Germany youth players ahead of their World Cup matches against Argentina and Lionel Messi.
Both Carney Chukwuemeka, a winger for Borussia Dortmund, and midfielder Paul Wanner from PSV Eindhoven were born in Austria and can change their eligibility under FIFA regulations.
FIFA approved Chukwuemeka’s switch from England and Wanner’s change from Germany late on Monday.
Under coach Ralf Rangnick, Austria’s World Cup group includes defending champions Argentina, Algeria, and Jordan.
Chukwuemeka, 22, previously played for Aston Villa and Chelsea before joining Dortmund. He was part of England’s youth setup but is also eligible to play for Nigeria through his parents.
Wanner, 20, developed in Bayern Munich‘s academy and spent last season on loan at Heidenheim. He moved to PSV last August, where he now wears the No. 10 jersey.
This will be Austria’s first appearance in a men’s World Cup since 1998. They will start against Jordan on June 16 at the San Francisco 49ers’ stadium, followed by matches against Argentina at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium and Algeria at the Kansas City Chiefs’ stadium.
Chukwuemeka and Wanner will be eligible to play in warmup matches this month when Austria faces Ghana and South Korea, both of which have qualified for the World Cup.