It took Carney Chukwuemeka less than 20 minutes to get on the scoresheet for Austria after being subbed on in the second half. - © IMAGO/Lukas Biereder

bundesliga

Carney Chukwuemeka scores on Austria debut after allegiance switch

28.03.2026

As far as debuts go, they don’t get too much better than Carney Chukwuemeka’s for Austria. Fresh from switching his international allegiance, the Borussia Dortmund man found the net for his new nation in their 5-1 rout of Ghana on Friday.

Having gotten off to the best start possible, Chukwuemeka looks well on course to make Ralf Rangnick’s Austria squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Finals - a prospect that would have been unthinkable only a few years ago.

While his form for Dortmund didn’t lead to an England call-up (whom he represented at youth level), it did catch the eye of Austria head coach Rangnick.

Having been born in Vienna, the midfielder made a successful request to switch allegiance to Austria earlier this year. For both the national team and Chukwuemeka, it appears to be a match made in heaven, as he was called up immediately for the national team's friendly matches this month.

Watch: Carney Chukwuemeka: Dortmund's latest gem

An understanding with BVB teammate Marcel Sabitzer in the heart of the Austrian midfield also has the potential to boost his World Cup chances.

"He played with Sabitzer in midfield [against Ghana], and I think you could tell the two of them know each other well from Dortmund," Rangnick stated after the resounding win against Ghana.

With another friendly to come next week against South Korea, the Dortmund man has an opportunity to not only secure his World Cup place, but also force his way into Rangnick’s starting XI come their first game of the tournament against Jordan.