Ghana national football team head coach Otto Addo anticipates a stern challenge as his side takes on Austria national football team today at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna.
The encounter forms a crucial part of Ghana’s preparations ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico.
With less than three months to their opening fixture against Panama in Toronto on June 17, the Black Stars are entering a decisive phase of their build-up, using high-profile friendlies to assess their readiness for the global tournament.
Coach Addo believes Austria’s physical and high-intensity style will provide the ideal test, especially ahead of another demanding fixture against Germany in Stuttgart on Monday. Despite the challenge, he remains confident his side can compete strongly against the team led by experienced manager Ralf Rangnick.
“We know they are a very good side — physical, energetic, and capable of high pressing with constant movement,” Addo said during a pre-match press conference. “We expect a very intense game.”
Ghana have been camped in Vienna since last Sunday, initially assembling a 26-man squad, now reduced to 25 following the withdrawals of Inaki Williams and Brandon Thomas-Asante. Their absence has paved the way for Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer to step in.
Attention will also be on four debutants, who must quickly adapt and stake their claim with limited time remaining before the World Cup. Meanwhile, concerns linger over the fitness of Mohammed Kudus, who is racing against time to recover from injury.
Apart from a few absentees, most players in the current squad are expected to feature in the final World Cup team, leaving the technical bench with key decisions to fine-tune the squad.
The backroom staff has also been strengthened with five new additions, including Kim Lars Björkegren, head coach of the Black Queens, who joins the setup for the first time.
With Benjamin Asare as the only home-based player, the squad largely comprises footballers plying their trade in top European leagues—highlighting the depth of talent available. However, limited playing time together remains a concern, especially with several new faces integrating into the team.
Austria, whose playing style closely mirrors that of Germany and Ghana’s World Cup group opponents, England and Croatia, are expected to pose a significant threat. The Europeans secured qualification for their first World Cup appearance since 1998 in impressive fashion, topping their qualifying group with six wins, one draw, and one defeat.
Under Rangnick, Austria have been prolific, scoring 23 goals and conceding just five in eight matches, including a commanding 10-0 victory over San Marino.
Key figures in the Austrian squad include David Alaba, Marko Arnautović, and Marcel Sabitzer, all named in the 28-man squad for the upcoming fixtures against Ghana and South Korea.
Also in the squad is defender Kevin Danso, who has Ghanaian roots, as well as Carney Chukwuemeka.
Austria head into the World Cup set to face Jordan, Argentina and Algeria, and Rangnick has emphasised the importance of the Ghana friendly as a tactical and physical benchmark.
“Ghana are a strong side with physicality, athleticism and dynamism,” Rangnick noted. “This match is an important test for us to measure ourselves tactically, technically, and physically.”
For Ghana forward Antoine Semenyo, the fixture presents an opportunity to send a strong message ahead of the tournament. Fresh off winning his first major trophy with Manchester City, he is confident the team can rise to the occasion.
“We want to make a statement ahead of the World Cup,” Semenyo said. “Hopefully, we can get a win.”
