Austria vs Jordan prediction as gulf in class represents early World Cup banana skin

GOLETA, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 06: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) (EDITOR'S NOTE: This image has been digitally altered.) David Alaba #8 of Austria poses for a portrait during the official FIFA World Cup 2026 portrait session on June 06, 2026 in Goleta, California. (Photo by Richard Heathcote - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
David Alaba is among the most experienced members of this Austria squad (Image credit: Getty Images)

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Austria and Jordan have never met in a competitive or non-competitive match.

Led by former Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick, 'Das Team' are making their first appearance at the World Cup since 1998.

If you're staying up for this one in the UK, you have won our respect and admiration. It's scheduled for a 9pm kick-off...in San Francisco, which makes Austria-Jordan one of the few 5am-ers this side of the pond.

Score prediction for Austria vs Jordan

LUSAIL, Qatar. 10 February, 2024. The AFC ASIAN CUP QATAR 2023 Final match between Jordan and Qatar at LUSAIL STADIUM.Credit: Meng Gao/Alamy Live News

Jordan are making their World Cup debut (Image credit: Getty Images)

Austria are favourites for this game, and understandably so. Their squad is packed with players who compete at the top level in Europe, and the team sit 41 places higher in the FIFA World Rankings.

Among Jordan's 26-man squad is just one player - Musa Al-Taamari - who plays in a top five European league.

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With holders Argentina looming in Group J, Austria need to pick up maximum points against the World Cup debutants.

Head coach Rangnick has instilled his high-pressing identity into the Austrian side but expect them to lean on veteran superstar David Alaba anchoring the defence, along with the creativity of Marcel Sabitzer.

Jordan enter their maiden World Cup full of confidence under manager Jamal Sellami, riding the momentum of their run to the 2024 Asian Cup Final.

To pull off an upset, they will rely heavily on talisman and Ligue 1 star, Musa Al-Taamari, whose pace will be Jordan's primary weapon on the counter-attack.

Austria players celebrate in front of the fans after qualifying for the 2026 World Cup after victory in the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina at on November 18, 2025 in Vienna, Austria.

Austria celebrate qualifying for the World Cup (Image credit: Christian Hofer/Getty Images)

Will this make things a dull affair, with Jordan sitting back intent on frustrating their European opponents? Perhaps.

If the AFC nation are going to play on the counter, they'll need to be clinical. Staying in the game for as long as possible will be vital.

Overall, though, with Rangnick's tactical nous and the gulf in class between the two squads, Austria should really have this game sewn up with plenty of time still remaining.

  • Score prediction: Austria 4-0 Jordan
Joe Donnohue
Senior Digital Writer

Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.

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