The Super Eagles will take on Poland and Portugal in high-profile international friendlies in June, as part of preparations to rebuild momentum after failing to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed that the Super Eagles will face Poland on 3 June at the PGE Narodowy Stadium in Warsaw, before travelling to Portugal for another friendly on 10 June, with the venue yet to be announced.
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The fixtures come on the back of Nigeria’s recent international window in Antalya, Turkey, where Eric Chelle’s side recorded a 2–1 victory over Iran before being held to a 2–2 draw by Jordan.
Goals from Moses Simon and Akor Adams secured the win against Iran, offering a positive start to the window. However, the team were unable to replicate that result against a resilient Jordan side, surrendering a second-half lead to settle for a draw.
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Building after World Cup disappointment
The upcoming matches form part of a broader effort to reposition the Super Eagles after their disappointing absence from the 2026 FIFA World Cup—marking consecutive misses for the three-time African champions.
Despite the setback, recent performances suggest a team in transition, blending experienced players such as Wilfred Ndidi and Alex Iwobi with emerging talents including Akor Adams and Emmanuel Fernandez, who scored on his debut against Jordan.
Chelle has also used the friendlies to assess depth, handing opportunities to new players while navigating injuries and absences, including Victor Osimhen and Maduka Okoye.
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Tough tests ahead
Poland and Portugal present significantly tougher challenges. Portugal, known as the Seleção das Quinas, are among the teams heading to the World Cup and will use the Nigeria clash as part of their final preparations for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The June fixtures will follow Nigeria’s participation in the Unity Cup Tournament in London, scheduled for 26–30 May, where the Super Eagles are expected to defend their title.
For Chelle, the upcoming games offer another opportunity to refine tactics, test combinations, and build a cohesive unit capable of returning Nigeria to the global stage.
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