Austria has secured a significant boost for their upcoming World Cup campaign, with Fifa approving the eligibility switches of two promising young talents who previously represented England and Germany at youth level.
The additions come as Ralf Rangnick’s side prepares to face defending champions Argentina, alongside Algeria and Jordan, in their first men’s World Cup appearance since 1998.
Borussia Dortmund winger Carney Chukwuemeka, 22, has been cleared to represent Austria after previously playing for England at youth level.
He represented England from Under-17s through to Under-20s, but did not feature for the Under-21s, who have won the last two European Championships under Lee Carsley.
Born in Austria, Chukwuemeka also held eligibility for Nigeria through his parents. He played for Aston Villa and Chelsea before his move to the German club last summer.
Joining him is 20-year-old PSV Eindhoven midfielder Paul Wanner, whose switch from Germany’s youth setup was also approved by Fifa on Monday.
Wanner, another Austrian-born talent, developed through the Bayern Munich academy and spent last season on loan at Heidenheim before joining PSV, where he wears the number 10 shirt.
This marks Austria’s return to the men’s World Cup stage for the first time since 1998.
Their tournament begins on June 16 against Jordan at the San Francisco 49ers’ stadium, followed by clashes with Argentina at the Dallas Cowboys’ stadium and Algeria at the Kansas City Chiefs’ home.
Both Chukwuemeka and Wanner are expected to make their debuts in upcoming warm-up matches this month, when Austria hosts fellow World Cup qualifiers Ghana and South Korea.
Former Manchester United interim manager Rangnick will then pick his squad for the World Cup at the end of the season, with Chukwuemeka and Wanner hoping to force their way into his plans to take on Messi and Co. in international football’s biggest tournament this summer.
