The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Iran in an international friendly on Friday, March 27, 2026, as coach Eric Chelle uses the March international window to test new faces and sharpen his squad ahead of future competitive fixtures.
The match is part of a four-nation invitational tournament being held in Antalya, Turkey, after organisers relocated the event from Jordan due to regional security concerns arising from the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Match details
The game takes place at the Corendon Airlines Park in Antalya, Turkey. Kick-off is 4:00pm Nigerian time, which translates to 6:00pm local Turkish time.
Where to watch
The match is listed on SuperSport and is available to DStv subscribers. Fans are advised to check the SuperSport channel guide closer to kick-off for the confirmed channel number.
No additional Nigerian free-to-air broadcaster has been officially confirmed for the match. Unlike AFCON or World Cup fixtures, international friendlies often have limited or region-specific broadcast deals, meaning the game may not be available on all major local channels.
The match is also listed on ESPN for viewers in the United States.
Team news
Nigeria will be without striker Victor Osimhen, who is sidelined with a fractured forearm. Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey have also been ruled out through injury. Alex Iwobi is in the squad and is approaching his 100th international cap, currently standing at 97. Wilfred Ndidi will anchor the midfield.
Coach Chelle has used this window to introduce new faces to the senior setup. Emmanuel Fernandez, Collins Yira Sor, and Philip Otele are among the debutants receiving their first call-up to the senior national team.
Iran arrive in Antalya without Saeid Ezatolahi, who is out with a foot injury, while Sardar Azmoun has been omitted from the squad. Mehdi Taremi remains their principal attacking threat alongside creative midfielder Saman Ghoddos.
Iran in turmoil
Iran come into this fixture carrying significant disruption. The ongoing conflict involving their country has severely affected their squad preparations, with several key players unavailable. Their football federation has publicly raised doubts about their ability to participate in certain 2026 World Cup matches on US soil, and has formally demanded a venue switch to Mexico. The situation makes them a team in genuine uncertainty despite having qualified for the World Cup.
Super Eagles’ recent form
Under Eric Chelle, Nigeria have gone unbeaten in their last six matches and finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations held in Morocco. The friendly against Iran is the first competitive-level test of what Chelle is building in the post-AFCON rebuild phase.
Following the Iran fixture, the Super Eagles will remain in Antalya to face Jordan on Tuesday, March 31. Jordan recently qualified for their first-ever FIFA World Cup, making that second game arguably the more demanding test of the two.