WORLD SPORT

Former Chelsea and England youth star included in rival nation’s World Cup squad following international switch

sportnow

FORMER Chelsea star Carney Chukwuemeka will represent Austria in the 2026 World Cup after making the switch from England.

At 22, Chukwuemeka received a call-up from his new national team manager, Ralf Rangnick, following four years in the youth ranks of the Three Lions.

Carney Chukwuemeka will play for Austria in the World Cup after switching from England Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Chukwuemeka has already played twice for Austria ahead of the World Cup Credit: Getty Images – Getty

The midfielder began his journey with England‘s Under-17s in 2019 and worked his way up to the Under-21s, earning a total of 23 caps across all youth levels until 2023.

Nonetheless, the Borussia Dortmund star was eager to secure a spot in the World Cup and opted to represent Austria in March.

Since then, Chukwuemeka has two caps for the Austrian national team and even netted on his debut against Ghana two months ago during a 5-1 triumph in Vienna.

The former Aston Villa player also appeared in another international friendly against South Korea.

VARD TO BEAT

Jamie Vardy ‘lined up for emotional transfer to former club’

WATCH LIST

World Cup squad lists for England, Scotland, USA, Brazil, Spain, France & more

Now Chukwuemeka could face a significant matchup against Lionel Messi, just four years after Messi lifted his first World Cup trophy with Argentina in Qatar.

Austria has also been drawn into Group J alongside Algeria and Jordan.

Chukwuemeka will join forces with Tottenham star Kevin Danso, as well as several former Premier League players.

This includes ex-Stoke and West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic, along with former Manchester United player Marcel Sabitzer, who currently plays with Chukwuemeka at Dortmund.

SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS

Bayern Munich midfielder Konrad Laimer is also included, as is Real Madrid’s David Alaba, despite facing some recent injury issues.

Chukwuemeka has recorded four goals and two assists across 55 appearances with Dortmund, having first joined the club on loan from Chelsea in 2025 before signing a permanent deal shortly thereafter.

The versatile midfielder spent three years with Chelsea after moving from Aston Villa, where he was called up from their youth ranks in 2021.