The Super Eagles of Nigeria will take on Iran in an international friendly on Friday, March 27, 2026.
The match will be played at the Antalya Stadium, offering both sides a valuable opportunity to test tactics and assess squad depth ahead of future competitive fixtures.
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Team News: Absences Hit Both Sides
Nigeria’s Selection Concerns
Head coach Eric Chelle will be without several key players for the encounter.
Star striker Victor Osimhen misses out due to a fractured forearm, while defender Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey are unavailable after failing to reach full match fitness. First-choice goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali has also been left out for technical reasons.
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Despite fitness concerns, Semi Ajayi and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have been included in the squad.
Iran Missing Key Stars
Iran’s head coach Amir Ghalenoei also faces challenges heading into the game.
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Midfielder Saeid Ezatolahi is sidelined with a foot injury, while striker Sardar Azmoun will not feature due to reported issues with the national federation.
Predicted Lineups
Nigeria (4-3-3)
- Goalkeeper: Maduka Okoye
- Defenders: Bright Osayi-Samuel, Semi Ajayi, Bruno Onyemaechi
- Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka
- Forwards: Akor Adams, Paul Onuachu, Ademola Lookman
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Iran (4-4-2)
- Goalkeeper: Alireza Beiranvand
- Defenders: Saleh Hardani, Hossein Kanaanizadegan, Majid Hosseini, Milad Mohammadi
- Midfielders: Saman Ghoddos, Mohammad Karimi, Alireza Jahanbakhsh, Mohammad Mohebi
- Forwards: Mehdi Taremi, Mehdi Ghayedi
Head-to-Head Record
This encounter marks only the third senior meeting between the two nations. Nigeria currently holds a slight edge, having recorded one win and one draw in previous clashes.
Match Details
- Fixture: Iran vs Nigeria (International Friendly)
- Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
- Kick-off: 16:00 (Nigerian Time)
- Venue: Antalya Stadium
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With both teams missing key players, the friendly offers a platform for emerging talents to step up. For Nigeria, it’s a chance to fine-tune combinations under Eric Chelle, while Iran will look to maintain their competitive edge despite notable absences.
All eyes will be on Antalya as two footballing nations clash in what promises to be an intriguing encounter.
