Super Eagles dare Cristiano Ronaldo as Portugal eye Nigeria friendly before World Cup

Portugal are in advanced talks to face the Super Eagles of Nigeria in a high-profile friendly in June, as part of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The proposed clash is expected to take place on June 6 in Lisbon, with both federations having reached an agreement in principle, pending final details.

According to reports, Portugal have identified Nigeria as ideal opposition as they fine-tune their squad ahead of the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Per Afrik Foot, the Selecao have proposed the Super Eagles as one of their June test matches, with negotiations progressing positively.

Portugal have already qualified for the tournament and currently know two of their three group-stage opponents, Colombia and Uzbekistan. Their final group rival could be the Democratic Republic of Congo, depending on the outcome of the intercontinental playoff involving New Caledonia and Jamaica.

For Nigeria, who missed out on World Cup qualification, the fixture would still represent a major opportunity to test themselves against elite European opposition and maintain momentum after their strong showing at AFCON 2025.

If finalised, the friendly could see a galaxy of stars, including Victor Osimhen and Cristiano Ronaldo, share the pitch, adding extra spice to the encounter.

Nigeria’s bronze-medal finish at AFCON 2025 in Morocco has made them an attractive opponent for World Cup-bound nations seeking tough preparation games.

Recent history, however, favours Portugal. The only previous meeting between the sides came in November 2022, when the Selecao secured a dominant 4–0 win in Lisbon. Bruno Fernandes scored twice, while Gonçalo Ramos and João Mário also found the net.

This time, the Super Eagles will be eager to put down a marker, using the friendly as a platform to measure themselves against one of Europe’s heavyweights and to stake claims ahead of future international competitions.