Austria v Jordan: World Cup 2026 prediction, team news, lineups and betting tips

Austria make their long-awaited return to the FIFA World Cup 2026 stage, a full 28 years since they last appeared at a finals, when they face Group J newcomers Jordan at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Wednesday morning. Ralf Rangnick's side arrive in California knowing that wins against Argentina and Algeria will be far harder to come by. Three points here, against a Jordanian squad making their first-ever appearance at a World Cup, is not optional.

Austria qualified by topping UEFA Group H, winning six and drawing one of their eight matches. A 1-1 draw with Bosnia & Herzegovina in the final fixture, secured by Michael Gregoritsch's 77th-minute equaliser, was enough to clinch first place. Since then, Rangnick's side have kept their momentum going, defeating Ghana 5-1, South Korea 1-0 and Tunisia 1-0 in pre-tournament friendlies.

The only meaningful setback ahead of kick-off is the absence of Christoph Baumgartner, who suffered a right-thigh injury in the warm-up before the Tunisia friendly and required surgery. Rangnick described it as "very bitter news" and drafted in Dejan Ljubicic as a late replacement. Baumgartner had scored 17 goals in all competitions for RB Leipzig last season, so it is a genuine loss, though Rangnick has the squad depth to absorb it.

Austria are also aiming to reach the knockout rounds of a World Cup for the first time since 1954. With Argentina and Algeria still to come in Group J, this opener could define whether that target is realistic.

Jordan arrive at their first-ever World Cup finals having earned automatic qualification by finishing second in their AFC qualifying group with 16 points from 10 games. They also reached the Arab Cup final after qualifying, only to lose 3-2 to Morocco after extra time. Since that run, however, Jamal Sellami's side have drawn two and lost two of their four pre-tournament friendlies, entering the competition on a five-game winless run.

Sellami's plan is likely to mirror what worked in qualification: a disciplined defensive structure, a midfield double pivot, and bursts forward through wing-backs supporting their main attacking threat, Mousa Al-Tamari. The Rennes winger is Jordan's most dangerous player and the one Austria's defence will be most wary of. Jordan are not simply here to make up the numbers, but the gap in quality against a well-organised European side with a high-pressing system is significant.

Austria head into this fixture having won four and drawn one of their last five outings, scoring nine goals and conceding three across those matches. The form table sets them up as clear favourites, and Austria's xG of 1.69 against Jordan's 1.15 in recent form data underlines the attacking edge Rangnick's side carry.

Austria v Jordan kicks off at 05:00 BST on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. The match is live on BBC One in the UK, with a free stream available via BBC iPlayer. All 104 games at the 2026 FIFA World Cup are available free-to-air for UK viewers on either the BBC or ITV.