World Cup
2026-06-16 - Austria vs Jordan
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: World Cup Group H Match Day 1
Tuesday 16th June 2026 - Kick Off 9pm (PST)
British Time 05:00am
Austria
Ralf Rangnick is best remembered in England for his short time as interim manager of Manchester United, but his reputation is much greater on the European continent. Since taking over as Austria's national team manager, Rangnick has guided the team to the Knock Out Rounds of the European Championship and is now tasked with doing the same at the World Cup Finals.
Two years ago, Austria impressed by coming out of a Euro 2024 Group containing France, Netherlands and Poland, but they will have been disappointed with the Last 16 defeat to Turkiye. Twenty-eight years have passed since Austria last reached the World Cup Finals, but they topped a Qualifying Group containing Bosnia-Herzegovina and Romania to make a long awaited return.
Austria opened the door for their rivals in the World Cup Qualifiers when losing 1-0 in Romania, but they are unbeaten in 5 games since then and have won 4. The last 3 of those victories have been in international friendly games against nations that will be taking part in the 2026 World Cup Finals and Austria have kept back to back clean sheets.
Do You Know... Austria reached the Semi Final in both of their first two appearances at the World Cup, but have not played a Knock Out tie since 1954.
Predicted Line Up: Schlager, Posch, Alaba, Danso, Lienhart, Laimer, Sabitzer, Seiwald, Gregoritsch, Chukwuemaka and Arnautovic (4-3-3)
Jordan
You cannot take the FIFA World Rankings at face value alone, but it cannot be underestimated about the challenges that face debutants Jordan at the 2026 World Cup Finals. Progressing to the Finals tournament after a host of tries is a big achievement for Jordan as it is, but they face three tough opponents in their bid to prolong the dream run into the Knock Out Rounds.
The additional places on offer to Asian representatives in the expanded World Cup certainly helped Jordan who finished significantly behind South Korea in the final Qualifying Group. However, they edged out the likes of Iraq and Oman by narrow margins, which also underline the step up in level of opponent they are facing in the United States this summer.
Jordan finished Runners Up in the Asian Cup in 2023 and the Arab Cup in 2025, but they have failed to win any of their last 4 friendly games in preparation for the World Cup Finals. Back to back losses to Switzerland and Colombia may have given Jordan some indication of what they are going to face in this Group, but three points may get them through and there will be some belief within the squad.
Do You Know... He may have always wanted to manage England, but Harry Redknapp's sole international job was with Jordan a decade ago.
Predicted Line Up: Abulaila, Nasib, Al-Arab, Al-Rosan, Al-Rashdan, Al-Rawabdeh, Haddad, Taha, Al-Tamaari, Al-Mardi and Olwan (3-4-3)
Head to Head
This is the first meeting between these nations.
Prediction
There was so much to like from Austria two years ago at the European Championship, but the injury to Christoph Baumgartner does mean they travel to the United States without a key figure.
Despite that, Ralf Rangnick's task is to guide Austria into the Knock Out Rounds of the World Cup for the first time since 1954 and the extra spots available to third place teams means they have a very good chance of doing that.
His high press will be tested in what can be hot and difficult conditions in North America, but this opening fixture is played in San Francisco at 9pm and the conditions should be very comfortable for the European nation.
There is pressure on Austria- they will know that beating Jordan is almost a 'must' if they are to progress.
Despite that, Austria should have enough quality to beat a Jordan team making their debut at the World Cup Finals and one that was outclassed in friendly games against Switzerland and Colombia.
Jordan did earn a draw against South Korea in the Qualifiers and they based their successful pathway into the World Cup Finals behind strong defensive shape.
That will be the plan in this one, but Austria should have enough experience and quality to eventually wear down Jordan and pick up three points behind a relatively comfortable win.
The Pick :
Austria 2-0 Jordan
