World Cup 2026: Jordan vs Austria Tips, Odds & Prediction

* Odds from Betway, correct at time of writing.

Austria take on World Cup debutants Jordan at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, with kickoff at 06:00 CAT on Wednesday, June 17. Ralf Rangnick's Austria qualified in style, dropping only two points and conceding just four goals across their European campaign, while Jordan arrive determined to prove they belong on the biggest stage. I expect Austria to carry the greater threat in this Group J opener, though Jordan have shown they can frustrate stronger sides. For all our World Cup betting tips, head to our dedicated section.

Jordan

Jordan reach the World Cup for the first time and in my opinion this is a side that will be organised and hard to break down. They set up in a back five formation and defend in numbers, as shown by a recent goalless draw against Mali, and the squad has no significant injury concerns. Mousa Al-Taamari is the key man and their best route to a result, with six goals and six assists in Ligue 1 for Rennes this season showing that he can give them a real outlet on the counter. My read is that Jordan will look to stay compact and hit Austria on the break.

Predicted Lineup: Abulaila; Nasib, Al-Arab, Haddad; Al-Rawabdeh, Sadeh, Al-Rashdan, Abu Taha; Al-Taamari, Olwan, Fakhouri.

Austria

Austria arrive as clear favourites in this game and from my point of view their balance and experience should tell over ninety minutes. They conceded only four goals across qualifying and were held to a 1-1 draw by Bosnia-Herzegovina in their final reference outing, with Michael Gregoritsch on target. Christoph Baumgartner is a massive loss after being ruled out of the tournament with a thigh injury following a career best 13 goals and 8 assists in the Bundesliga, but this team has plenty of talent elsewhere with Marcel Sabitzer adding drive from midfield and Marko Arnautovic leading the line. I expect Austria to dominate the ball and probe patiently for any gaps in the Jordan defence.

Predicted Lineup: Schlager; Posch, Alaba, Lienhart, Mwene; Laimer, Seiwald; Sabitzer, Baumgartner, Schmid; Arnautovic.

Austria have the superior individual players and the greater ability to control the ball, and I expect them to grind down a stubborn Jordan side as the game wears on. The debutants will defend deep but Austria's quality in the final third should eventually find a way through. My forecast: Jordan 0 Austria 2.

BTTS: No (1.79)

I am backing BTTS: No because Jordan have shown they can keep things tight, and I expect Austria to control the game while limiting their opponents to very little. Jordan kept a clean sheet against Mali and will prioritise their shape, while Austria's defence was miserly all through qualifying. A low scoring game with Jordan most likely blanked looks very much on the cards, and at 1.79 this appears to be the smart play.