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It comes as little surprise that Austria and Jordan have never faced each other in any competitive or friendly match.

Under the guidance of former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick, 'Das Team' are returning to the World Cup stage for the first time since 1998.

For those watching from the UK, this fixture will demand real dedication — kick-off is scheduled for 9pm local time in San Francisco, meaning fans in Britain will be tuning in at 5am.

Austria are the clear favourites heading into this encounter, and with good reason. Their squad is filled with players who regularly feature across Europe’s top leagues, and they currently sit 41 places above Jordan in the FIFA World Rankings.

Jordan’s 26-man squad, on the other hand, includes just one player from a top-five European league — winger Musa Al-Taamari — highlighting the gulf in international experience between the two sides.

With defending champions Argentina waiting in Group J, Austria will be determined to secure maximum points against the World Cup debutants to strengthen their chances of progressing.

Coach Rangnick has successfully embedded his trademark high-pressing style into the Austrian setup. Expect veteran defender David Alaba to marshal the back line, while Marcel Sabitzer’s creativity will be central to their attacking play.

Jordan arrive at their first-ever World Cup buoyed by confidence under head coach Jamal Sellami. The Middle Eastern side are fuelled by their impressive run to the 2024 AFC Asian Cup final and will look to carry that momentum into this competition.

For Jordan to pull off an upset, much will depend on their star forward Musa Al-Taamari. The Ligue 1 attacker’s blistering pace on the counter-attack will be their strongest weapon against the disciplined Austrian defence.

Will this lead to a cautious contest, with Jordan sitting deep and attempting to frustrate their European opponents? It’s certainly possible. If they adopt a counter-attacking approach, their finishing will need to be sharp, and staying competitive for as long as possible will be crucial.

Nevertheless, given Rangnick’s tactical acumen and the evident quality gap between the two squads, Austria are expected to take control early and secure the win comfortably.