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Austria calls up Dejan Ljubicic for World Cup after teammate's injury

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 11, 2026, 8:16 AM

Last updated Jun 11, 2026

Austria calls up Dejan Ljubicic for World Cup after teammate's injury

Summary

Dejan Ljubicic returns to the Austrian national team ahead of the World Cup after Christoph Baumgartner sustains a thigh injury. Baumgartner, who scored 17 goals last season for Leipzig, requires surgery following the injury during a pre-tournament warm-up. Ljubicic last played for Austria nearly three years ago and is expected to train with the team in Santa Barbara before their first match on Tuesday against Jordan. Austria is also set to face Argentina and Algeria in Group J.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Status Watch

•Ljubicic replaces injured Christoph Baumgartner on the World Cup squad.
•Baumgartner injured his thigh during warm-up and requires surgery.
•Ljubicic has nine caps for Austria but no major tournament experience.
•Austria's first World Cup match is against Jordan on Tuesday.
•Austria is grouped with Argentina and Algeria in Group J.

Latest Updates

8:16 AMYahoo Sports — World Cup comeback after 3 years away for Austrian midfielder

What they're saying

"
The last time Dejan Ljubicic played for Austria was nearly three years ago. Now a teammate's injury has given him a surprise comeback at the World Cup. Austria coach Ralf Rangnick called up Ljubicic late Wednesday to replace key midfielder Christoph Baumgartner, who injured his right thigh while warming up for a pre-World Cup friendly against Tunisia last week and needed surgery.
— Yahoo Sports

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