The Nigeria national football team have been scheduled to play friendly matches on the same dates as the 2026 FIFA World Cup inter-confederation playoffs, a development that has sparked confusion among supporters.
Softfootball earlier reported that Nigeria will participate in a four-nation tournament during the March 2026 international window. The Super Eagles are set to face Iran national football team on Friday, 27 March 2026, and Jordan national football team on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
However, the complication lies in the ongoing eligibility dispute involving Congo. The Nigeria Football Federation reportedly petitioned FIFA, alleging that Congo fielded ineligible players during the qualifiers. Nigeria is currently awaiting a verdict.
Should the petition be decided in Nigeria’s favour, the Super Eagles could potentially be placed in the 2026 FIFA World Cup inter-confederation playoffs, scheduled to take place in Mexico from 26–31 March 2026, the exact window of the planned friendlies.
This overlap has raised major questions. Would Nigeria withdraw from the friendly tournament if granted a playoff spot? Or is the friendly arrangement simply a contingency plan?
Softfootball understands that the decision to schedule friendlies may be strategic, ensuring players remain match-ready in case the ruling favours Nigeria and a late playoff opportunity arises. In that scenario, the team could pivot quickly and focus on competitive fixtures.
However, some Nigerian fans interpret the move differently. To them, the scheduling signals that the federation may not be fully optimistic about the outcome of the petition.
For now, all eyes remain on FIFA’s pending decision. Until a verdict is delivered, uncertainty continues to surround Nigeria’s World Cup hopes and their March calendar.
