‘Iran, Jordan friendlies’ll remind Nigerians of what to miss at W’Cup’
Former Nigeria international, Ben Iroha, has urged the Super Eagles to make a strong statement in their upcoming international friendlies against Iran and Jordan, as a way of showing fans what the country will miss at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Super Eagles Line Up Friendlies In Turkey
Nigeria will take on Iran national football team on Friday in the first of two friendly matches scheduled in Turkey.
The encounter will be held at the Antalya Stadium, a 29,307-capacity venue, with kickoff set for 2pm Nigerian time (4pm local time).
Clash Against Jordan Next
The three-time African champions will then face Jordan national football team on Tuesday, March 31, at the same venue, rounding off their short international break engagements.
Speaking from his base in Texas, USA, Iroha—who was part of Nigeria’s historic squad to the 1994 World Cup and also lifted the 1994 AFCON title—said the absence of the team from the 2026 tournament still weighs heavily on Nigerians.
He stressed that while the matches are classified as friendlies, they carry deeper meaning for fans and should be approached with seriousness.
“It’s a friendly game, but I must say that matches involving the Super Eagles are always seen beyond the prism of friendly games,” Iroha said.
“Nigerians are too passionate about Super Eagles matches, whether friendly or competitive. It brightens the global football landscape because of our array of stars playing across the world. Everyone — Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike, wants to watch the team play. And these two games against Iran and Jordan are no different.
“I’ve seen the list of players already in camp for the two matches. How I wish the team would be at the World Cup. Somehow, these games would have given us insight into what to expect from them at the tournament.
“But the sad reality is that these games will only remind us of what we would be missing at the World Cup finals with our absence from the tournament,” the 56-year-old concluded.
Pain Of Missing Out Lingers
Nigeria has appeared at six editions of the World Cup, making its debut in 1994 in the United States, and later featuring in 1998, 2002, 2010, and 2018.
However, hopes of qualifying for a seventh appearance were dashed after a dramatic penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the playoffs held in Morocco, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
To compound matters, FIFA recently dismissed Nigeria’s protest alleging that DR Congo fielded ineligible players during the decisive fixture.
