The question "Who replaces Christoph Baumgartner?" has an answer: Dejan Ljubicic. Austria coach Ralf Rangnick called up the Schalke midfielder on Wednesday evening for the injured Baumgartner — and right on time for the World Cup start, Ljubicic lands at the team quarters in California today, Thursday. With that, Austria's squad is complete.
As of June 11, 2026. Austria open against Jordan on June 17.
What happened
Baumgartner tore the tendon at the front of his right thigh during the warm-up before the final friendly against Tunisia and is out for the entire tournament. Rangnick kept the door open for a late call-up for days — on Wednesday evening the choice fell on Ljubicic. The 28-year-old joins at the last minute as Austria's final World Cup ticket.
Dejan Ljubicic — the last-minute man
Ljubicic is a versatile midfielder at FC Schalke 04 who can also play on the right. The 28-year-old from Vienna spent 15 years at Rapid, four seasons at 1. FC Köln and came to Gelsenkirchen in January via Dinamo Zagreb. His full story — and why the World Cup is a comeback after more than two years for him — is in our Ljubicic profile.
What it means for Austria
A tip for your predictions: Ljubicic replaces Baumgartner in the squad, but he isn't a like-for-like for his role. Baumgartner was the box-crashing eight with a goal threat; Ljubicic is more the flexible, robust midfielder. So Rangnick is likely to keep spreading Baumgartner's attacking central role internally — chiefly to Marcel Sabitzer, plus Romano Schmid, Patrick Wimmer and the talent Paul Wanner — while Ljubicic gives the midfield depth and options.
And Baumgartner? Despite missing out, he travels with the team to the World Cup base camp in Santa Barbara, continues his rehab there and supports the squad on site.
For your prediction round, that means Austria's opener against Jordan is a touch less predictable without the injured Baumgartner — useful to know before you lock in your scoreline.
Create your free prediction round and predict Austria's World Cup.
Who replaces Baumgartner in Austria's squad?
Dejan Ljubicic, a midfielder at FC Schalke 04. Ralf Rangnick called him up on Wednesday evening for the injured Christoph Baumgartner; Ljubicic lands in California on Thursday. Baumgartner's specific attacking central role is likely also shared internally — chiefly to Marcel Sabitzer.
Why is Christoph Baumgartner out of the 2026 World Cup?
Baumgartner tore the tendon at the front of his right thigh during the warm-up before the friendly against Tunisia. He cannot take part in the World Cup as a result.
Is Ljubicic a replacement for Baumgartner's position?
Not like-for-like. Ljubicic is a versatile midfielder, not a box-crashing eight like Baumgartner. He mainly widens Rangnick's options in the centre; Baumgartner's specific attacking role gets shared with Marcel Sabitzer and the others.
Is Baumgartner travelling to the World Cup despite his injury?
Yes — but not as a player. Baumgartner travels with the team to Austria's base camp in Santa Barbara to continue his rehab and support the squad. He can't play at the tournament.
When does Austria play at the 2026 World Cup?
In Group J, Austria face Jordan on June 17, Argentina on June 22 and Algeria on June 28.
Explore more: World Cup today: fixtures & AI picks · Dejan Ljubicic: the profile of the last-minute man · Austria vs Jordan: tips for the opener · 50 players to watch at the World Cup · 2026 World Cup prediction game: the full guide
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As of June 11, 2026. Prediction game, not a sports-betting operator.
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