Austria and Ghana will continue their preparations for the 2026 World Cup with a friendly matchup at the Ernst Happel Stadion on Friday evening.
Both teams enjoyed impressive qualifying campaigns, finishing top of their respective groups to book their place at football's biggest event in North America this summer.
In addition to our Austria vs Ghana prediction below, check out the rest of today's betting tips.
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Austria vs Ghana key stats
- Austria are unbeaten in seven of their last eight matches (W6, D1).
- During that run, they have struck first on six occasions.
- Likewise, Ghana have developed a knack for breaking the deadlock in matches of late, having scored the opener in five of their last seven games.
- However, the West Africans are on a run of consecutive defeats ahead of their trip to Vienna.
Austria vs Ghana preview: Austria to come out on top
| Austria | vs | Ghana |
|---|---|---|
| 24th | FIFA ranking | 72nd |
| Marko Arnautovic (130) | Most caps | Jordan Ayew (115) |
| Marko Arnautovic (47) | Most goals | Jordan Ayew (32) |
| 1024 | Total caps | 457 |
| 160 | Total goals | 61 |
| 4 | Uncapped players | 4 |
After 28 years of waiting, Austria will return to the global stage for the first time since 1998, courtesy of an impressive qualifying campaign in which they picked up 19 points from a possible 24 across eight matches.
A 10-0 demolition of San Marino was undoubtedly the highlight for Ralf Rangnick’s side, who averaged just under three goals per game en route to securing their World Cup berth.
Austria's Christoph Baumgartner is enjoying the best scoring season of his career with 16 goals across all competitions.
Das Burschen’s last appearance on the world stage ended in a group-stage exit, but there is optimism that the current crop can produce a stronger showing than their predecessors.
Austria came from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Bosnia in their most recent outing on November 18, maintaining their unbeaten home record since October 2023.
Friday’s hosts will now look to extend that run in a friendly encounter, where Carney Chukwuemeka and Paul Wanner are set to make their international debuts.
Ghana have not won an international friendly since beating Liberia 3-1 in September 2023.
Ghana breezed through World Cup qualifying with eight wins and a draw from 10 matches, scoring 23 goals and conceding just six.
After their absence in 2018, Ghana will now feature at consecutive World Cups—making it five appearances overall since their debut two decades ago.
However, Otto Addo’s side suffered friendly defeats to Japan and South Korea in their final two matches of last year, slightly dampening the mood ahead of their maiden outing of 2026.
Having not lost three consecutive matches since May 2014, the Black Stars will be hopeful of getting back on track in Vienna before heading to Stuttgart to face Germany.
Austria vs Ghana form guide & betting tips
| Austria | vs | Ghana |
|---|---|---|
| W-W-W-W-D | Form | D-D-L-L-L |
| 13 | Goals For | 3 |
| 3 | Goals Against | 8 |
| W-W-L-W-D | Latest form (all competitions) | W-W-W-L-L |
Whispers predicts: Austria 2-1 Ghana
Unbeaten at home in two-and-a-half-years, Austria have been a tough nut to crack in front of their fans and tipping the hosts to win at 1.57 is a great option.
While Ghana are underdogs, they possess good attacking options and should find the back of the net. Consequently, backing BTTS - Yes at 2.00 also represents good value.
A 2-1 correct score punt at 8.50 is more adventurous than the above two tips, but also has good appeal.
> 1x2 - Austria to win at 1.57 | Likelihood: Probable
> BTTS - Yes at 2.00 | Likelihood: Probable
> Correct score - Austria 2-1 Ghana at 8.50 | Likelihood: Outsider