World Cup comeback after 3 years away for Austrian midfielder

By: The Associated Press Posted: 3:18 AM CDT Thursday, Jun. 11, 2026 Last Modified: 3:18 AM CDT Thursday, Jun. 11, 2026

Advertise with us

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — 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.

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — 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.

Read unlimited articles for free today:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — 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.

Ljubicic is set to join Austria at the team camp in Santa Barbara on Thursday, ahead of the team’s first game on Tuesday against Jordan. Austria also plays Argentina and Algeria in Group J.

FILE -Austria's Dejan Ljubicic, left, and Denmark's Joachim Andersen challenge for the ball during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between between Austria and Denmark at the Ernst Happel Stadion in Vienna, Austria, June 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Andreas Schaad, File)

He’s more of a defensive midfield option than Baumgartner, who scored 17 goals in all competitions for Leipzig in Germany last season and has remained in camp to support the team.

Ljubicic also plays in Germany on the Schalke team which secured promotion from the second division last month.

Ljubicic has nine games for Austria but none at a major tournament. His last appearance was in a friendly against Moldova in September 2023 and he wasn’t in the squad for any World Cup qualifiers.