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Austria World Cup 2026 squad includes Arnautovic after 28-year wait

BBC Sport Football •
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Austria have unveiled their 28-man squad for World Cup 2026, ending a 28-year drought since their last tournament appearance. Among the selections sits Marko Arnautovic, the former West Ham and Stoke striker now playing for Red Star Belgrade. His inclusion fills a vital attacking role for a side hungry to make an impact on the world stage after such a lengthy absence.

The squad is stacked with Premier League pedigree: David Alaba at Real Madrid, Kevin Danso at Tottenham, and Marcel Sabitzer at Borussia Dortmund all bring top-level experience. Konrad Laimer at Bayern Munich and Christoph Baumgartner at RB Leipzig give Austria a midfield capable of controlling matches against elite opposition.

Younger faces like Carney Chukwuemeka at Borussia Dortmund and Romano Schmid at Werder Bremen signal a blend of experience and fresh energy. Goalkeeper Alexander Schlager at RB Salzburg anchors a solid back line alongside Florian Wiegele at Viktoria Pilsen.

Arnautovic's selection at 35, after a career spanning the Premier League and European football, shows Austria trust his experience for their first World Cup in 28 years. The squad blends Premier League names with Bundesliga and European talent, pointing to a team ready to compete.