NFF Monitoring Iran Conflict Over Super Eagles Friendlies
Last update: March 11, 2026
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Nigeria monitoring middle-east crisis as Super Eagles friendlies uncertain...
The Nigeria Football Federation says it is closely monitoring the escalating conflict involving Iran as uncertainty surrounds the Nigeria national football team’s scheduled friendlies during the March FIFA international window.
Nigeria had been lined up to participate in a four-nation invitational tournament in Amman, Jordan, where the Super Eagles were set to face Iran on March 27 before taking on the Jordan national football team on March 31.
The Costa Rica national football team was also scheduled to take part in the competition.
However, the plans have been thrown into doubt after Iran pulled out of the tournament amid rising political and military tensions across the Middle East.
Over the weekend, Colin Udoh of ESPN reported that organisers were considering moving the fixtures from the Middle East to Europe as a precautionary measure.
Reacting to the development, the NFF Director of Communications, Ademola Olajire, said the federation is keeping a close watch on the situation while remaining in discussions with tournament organisers.
“The NFF and the organisers are watching developments with keen interest,” Olajire said in comments reported by The Punch.
When asked whether a European country had been identified as a possible alternative venue, he said the decision would depend on the organisers.
“If this is confirmed, it is the prerogative of the organisers to find a replacement,” he added.
CBI News reports that the crisis intensified after the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on February 28, triggering retaliatory strikes across the region.
Several countries have since recorded missile and drone attacks, leading to airspace closures and heightened security concerns that are beginning to affect international sporting events.
With Iran’s withdrawal, the original four-team tournament format is now uncertain.
Organisers are reportedly considering staging a single friendly between Nigeria and Jordan at a neutral venue in Europe if the competition cannot proceed as planned.
The president of the NFF, Ibrahim Gusau, earlier said the federation still has time to assess the situation before making a final decision.
“We are monitoring the situation for now, we still have three weeks,” Gusau said.
