Austria bench veteran striker Arnautovic for World Cup opener v Jordan

17 Jun 2026, 03:02 · CNA · Join

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Austria v Tunisia - Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna, Austria - June 1, 2026 Austria's Marko Arnautovic applauds fans after the match REUTERS/Lisa Leutner

Soccer Football - International Friendly - Austria v South Korea - Ernst Happel Stadion, Vienna, Austria - March 31, 2026 Austria's Sasa Kalajdzic REUTERS/Lisa Leutner

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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA, June 16 : Austria's all-time top goal-scorer Marko Arnautovic has been left on the bench, with Sasa Kalajdzic starting in attack in their Group J World Cup opener against debutants Jordan on Tuesday.

• Austria coach Ralf Rangnick has opted for Romano Schmid, Xaver Schlager and Marcel Sabitzer in a three-pronged attack behind Kalajdzic.

• Captain David Alaba will start in defence after playing no part in Austria's final two World Cup qualifiers.

• The match marks the end of Austria's 28-year exile from the World Cup.

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• Striker Ali Olwan and talismanic winger Mousa Al-Tamari start in attack for Jordan, with key forward Yazan Al-Naimat ruled out of the World Cup with a knee injury after scoring eight goals in qualification.

Austria: Alexander Schlager, David Alaba, Philipp Lienhart, Phillipp Mwene, Stefan Posch, Xaver Schlager, Nicolas Seiwald, Konrad Laimer, Marcel Sabitzer, Romano Schmid, Sasa Kalajdzic

Jordan: Yazeed Abu Laila, Abdullah Nasib, Yazan Al‑Arab, Mohammad Abu Al‑Nadi, Noor Al‑Rawabdeh, Nizar Al‑Rashdan, Mousa Al‑Tamari, Ali Olwan, Ehsan Haddad, Muhannad Abu Taha, Ouda Al‑Fakhouri

Austria bench veteran striker Arnautovic for World Cup opener v Jordan

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