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

* Odds supplied by Betway and accurate when this was published.

Jordan make their World Cup debut against Austria at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, with the match starting at 06:00 CAT on Wednesday, June 17. Ralf Rangnick's Austria sailed through qualifying, losing only two points and letting in just four goals in their European group, while Jordan come in eager to show they deserve to be on the biggest stage. I see Austria as the bigger attacking threat in this Group J opener, although Jordan have proved they can frustrate better teams. Our dedicated section has all our World Cup betting tips.

Jordan

This is Jordan's first ever World Cup, and I think they will be well organised and tough to break down. They line up with a back five and defend with plenty of bodies, as a recent scoreless draw with Mali showed, and there are no major injury problems in the squad. Mousa Al-Taamari is their star and their best hope of a result, and his six goals and six assists for Rennes in Ligue 1 this season prove he can be a genuine outlet on the break. As I see it, Jordan will stay tight and try to catch Austria on the counter.

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

Austria

Austria go in as strong favourites, and as I see it their balance and know-how should show across ninety minutes. They let in just four goals in qualifying and were held 1-1 by Bosnia-Herzegovina in their last reference match, with Michael Gregoritsch scoring. Losing Christoph Baumgartner is a huge blow, as a thigh injury has ruled him out of the tournament after a career best 13 goals and 8 assists in the Bundesliga, yet there is still lots of talent in the squad, with Marcel Sabitzer driving the midfield and Marko Arnautovic leading the attack. I see Austria keeping the ball and patiently looking for openings in the Jordan back line.

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

Austria have better individuals and more control on the ball, and I see them wearing down a stubborn Jordan team as the match goes on. The newcomers will sit deep, but Austria's quality in the final third should break through in the end. My forecast: Jordan 0 Austria 2.

BTTS: No (1.79)

My pick is BTTS: No, as Jordan have shown they can keep it tight, and I expect Austria to run the game and give their opponents very little. Jordan shut out Mali and will put their shape first, while Austria's defence gave almost nothing away in qualifying. A low scoring match where Jordan fail to score looks very likely, and at 1.79 this seems the clever bet.