Austrian national coach Ralf Rangnick is wary that his team could become the last European country to be thwarted at the World Cup by sides from the Asian confederation if it fails to get the best out of itself against debutant Jordan on Tuesday.
The Czech Republic lost 2-1 to South Korea last week before Australia spoiled Turkey’s return to the World Cup stage by securing a 2-0 win.
Japan then bounced back twice to draw 2-2 with the Netherlands on Sunday, and Group B favorites Switzerland were held 1-1 by Qatar, four years after the Gulf state went winless as 2022 hosts.
“We have seen a lot of surprises in this World Cup,” Rangnick told reporters on Monday at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, where the country faces Jordan in the Group J opener.
«If you looked at the matches and the results, we had 12 draws and only six wins. There was no South American team that won.»
«This will not be a walkover. It will be an uncomfortable opponent. The opponent will try to draw you in, absorb the pressure, and then he will try to use the open space for his counter-attacks.»
“This is what we expect from them tomorrow.”
READ: Crystal Palace’s US Billionaire Owners Investigate Sale: Reports
Austria will end a 28-year absence in the global showpiece against Jordan, two years after an encouraging run at the 2024 European Championships where they topped their group before losing to Turkey in the last 16.
A good start against Jordan could be crucial if you want to advance from a difficult group that also includes Algeria and champions Argentina.
Austria were dealt a blow ahead of the tournament by losing central midfielder Christoph Baumgartner to a thigh injury, a player who epitomizes the side’s aggressive, pressing play.
Rangnick gave no clues about his starting squad, but said he settled for the 11 for Jordan last week and that his entire squad was in good health.
With the game starting at 9 p.m. on the chilly Bay Area evening, players may not have much of a break for the controversial hydration breaks in each half, but Rangnick is a fan of them.
“It’s positive for me as a coach because I can talk to the players, I can give them some advice, and I think there will be about 65,000 people in the stadium tomorrow,” said the German.
“It will be very loud, so I can’t really reach the players and (otherwise) talk to them.
“So this is going to be an advantage that the team can regroup.”
Published on June 16, 2026
