Iran in talks with Nigeria for pre-World Cup friendly
Naija News • 2h ago
**Iran Set to Clash with Super Eagles Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup**
As the 2026 FIFA World Cup draws near, football enthusiasts are abuzz with excitement. In what promises to be an electrifying encounter, Iran has reportedly initiated talks with Nigeria to arrange a pre-World Cup friendly match between the Super Eagles and the Iranian national team.
According to sources close to the negotiations, Iran is planning a double-header in March, with one of the matches scheduled against the Super Eagles. While this proposal appears promising, there's a caveat. Nigeria's participation in the friendly is contingent on the outcome of an ongoing eligibility protest lodged against the Democratic Republic of Congo national team by the Super Eagles. The protest stems from the contentious African playoff final last November, which the Leopards won 4-3 on penalties.
The 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be a thrilling tournament, with Iran drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand. The Iranians will be hoping to use the friendly match against the Super Eagles to fine-tune their tactics and prepare for the stiff competition ahead. For Nigeria, a pre-World Cup friendly against a formidable opponent like Iran will provide valuable experience and insights into their own strengths and weaknesses.
For fans of both teams, this potential friendly match offers a tantalizing prospect of witnessing top-class football and catching a glimpse of what to expect from the 2026 World Cup. As the world's attention turns to the beautiful game, one thing is certain: football enthusiasts in Nigeria and beyond will be eagerly anticipating the outcome of these negotiations. Will the Super Eagles take on Iran in a thrilling pre-World Cup friendly? Only time will tell.