Ammon News - Austria coach Ralf Rangnick is wary that his team could become the latest European nation to be thwarted by sides from the Asian confederation at the World Cup ​if they fail to bring their best against debutants Jordan on Tuesday.

"We have seen ​many surprises during this World Cup," Rangnick told reporters on Monday at the ⁠San Francisco Bay Area Stadium where they face Jordan in their Group J opener.

"If you looked at ​the matches and the outcomes, we had 12 draws and only six victories. There was no South ​American team that won.

"This is not going to be a walkover. It's going to be an uncomfortable opponent. The opponent will try to lure you in, absorb the pressure, and then they will try to use the open space for ​their counter-attacks.

"This is what we expect from them tomorrow."

Austria will end a 28-year absence from the global ​showpiece against Jordan, two years after an encouraging run at Euro 2024 where they topped their group before losing to ‌Turkey ⁠in the last 16.

Starting well against Jordan may prove critical if they are to advance from a tough group that also features Algeria and champions Argentina.

Austria suffered a pre-tournament blow with the loss of central midfielder Christoph Baumgartner to a thigh injury, a player who embodies their aggressive pressing game.

Rangnick gave no clues ​as to his starting ​side but said he ⁠had settled on the 11 for Jordan last week and that his entire squad had a clean bill of health.

Reuters