Confirmed: Super Eagles to face Iran in third meeting with the Lion Hearts

Nigeria’s Super Eagles have fixed a friendly match with the Iran national football team as both sides prepare for the long road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Afrik-Foot reports.

The Football Federation of Iran made the announcement on Tuesday, with its spokesperson, Amirmahdi Alavai, confirming that the game will take place on March 27 during the next FIFA international window.

Iran’s coaching crew see the match as a big test against one of Africa’s strongest football nations. Their head coach, Amir Ghalenoei, wants his players to face different styles of football before the World Cup begins.

2026 World Cup-bound IRAN to face tournament absentee #NIGERIA in a friendly match on 27 March, via spokesperson of the Football Federation of Iran, Amirmahdi Alavai.

Both played out the first draw of the 2014 World Cup and the first game without goals.pic.twitter.com/vB5OQzUEyj

— Olúwashínà Òkélèjì (@oluwashina) February 17, 2026

Iran have been drawn in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt and New Zealand, and the friendly against Nigeria is meant to sharpen them for those tough games.

For Nigeria, the match is another chance to stay active on the global stage and measure themselves against top teams from other continents.

Super Eagles vs Iran: A familiar rivalry

This will be the third senior-level meeting between the Super Eagles and Iran, and so far, Nigeria have never lost to the Asian side.

Their first clash came in January 1998 at the Carlsberg Cup in Hong Kong, where Nigeria won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Garba Ahmad in front of thousands of fans.

The second meeting happened at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, when both teams played out a tense 0–0 draw. Iran came close through Reza Ghoochannejhad, while Nigeria substitute Shola Ameobi headed just wide late on. It was a historic match, as it became the first draw of that tournament and Iran’s first-ever World Cup clean sheet.

This time, Nigeria will aim to keep their unbeaten record going.

Although the Super Eagles narrowly missed out on the 2026 World Cup after losing the final playoff to Democratic Republic of the Congo last November, they remain a popular team for high-profile friendlies.

Nigeria last appeared at the World Cup in 2018 and also missed the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Still, their strong showing at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where they finished third, has kept them in high demand.

The friendly against Iran now offers another big stage for the Super Eagles to show their quality. Nigeria will also face World Cup debutants Jordan in the same international window.