Portugal has invited the Super Eagles of Nigeria for an international friendly on June 6 as part of their elite preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. While Nigeria narrowly missed out on qualification for the tournament in North America, their recent bronze-medal finish at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations has made them a highly sought-after opponent for World Cup-bound nations. The Portuguese Football Federation and the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) are currently finalizing the contractual details, with Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz or Estádio José Alvalade expected to host the encounter.
This summer fixture offers the Super Eagles a chance to avenge their last meeting in November 2022, when Portugal cruised to a 4-0 victory just before the Qatar World Cup. In that dominant display, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes netted a brace, while Gonçalo Ramos and João Mário added late goals to capitalize on a disorganized Nigerian defense. However, the current Nigerian squad, led by interim coach Eric Chelle, presents a much more formidable challenge following their tactical resurgence in Morocco last year.
Portugal manager Roberto Martínez views the Super Eagles as the ideal simulation for his team’s World Cup group-stage opponents. The Seleção will face Colombia and Uzbekistan in Group K, and they anticipate that Nigeria’s physical and fast-paced style will mirror the challenges they might face should DR Congo progress through the intercontinental playoffs. For Nigeria, the match serves as a prestigious platform to maintain their global standing and test their top stars, including Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, against one of Europe’s most star-studded lineups.
About the Author
