Nigeria’s Super Eagles will join a Four-Nation Invitational in Jordan next March —during the World Cup playoff window
Super Eagles to Play Iran & Jordan in Amman Tournament as NFF Signals End to 2026 World Cup Hopes
Nigeria’s slim chance of a dramatic late entry into the 2026 FIFA World Cup seems to have evaporated, with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) now scheduling the Super Eagles for a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, Jordan—right in the March FIFA window reserved for the final intercontinental playoffs.
The announcement came on Friday from NFF Director of Communication Ademola Olajire, confirming Nigeria’s participation alongside Iran, hosts Jordan, and Costa Rica.
“Three-time African champions Nigeria will feature in a Four-Nation Invitational Tournament in Amman, capital of Jordan, during next month’s FIFA Men’s International Window.
“The mini-tournament will kick off with a clash between the Super Eagles and the senior men national team of Iran, at the 17,000-capacity Amman International Stadium, on Friday, 27th March 2026.
“The same day, the senior men national teams of Jordan and Costa Rica will be at each other’s jugular at the 62,000-capacity King Abdullah Sports City Stadium, also in Amman.
“On Tuesday, 31st March, hosts Jordan will take on 2025 AFCON bronze-medallists Nigeria at the Amman International Stadium, while Costa Rica will confront Iran at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium.
“Organisers will announce the time-schedule for the four matches in a few days.”
The timing is telling: March is when the remaining World Cup playoff spots will be decided. By committing to friendlies without any reference to potential playoff action, the NFF appears to have accepted elimination after last November’s penalty shootout loss to DR Congo in the African qualifiers.
Nigeria lodged a protest with FIFA, alleging DR Congo fielded ineligible players—some possibly retaining European passports despite Congolese law’s restrictions on adult dual citizenship. NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi had stated: “As far as FIFA is concerned, once you have the passport of your country, you are eligible. But our concern is that FIFA may have been deceived into clearing them.”
FIFA has yet to issue a final ruling, with the matter still under review by independent bodies. The NFF recently debunked online rumors of a decision on February 16.
“There is no decision from FIFA at this time. Any claims that a ruling has been made are false. FIFA has not communicated any verdict to the NFF or the Congolese federation,” Mr Olajire said.
National Sports Commission Chairman Shehu Dikko echoed the wait-and-see stance but signaled a forward focus: “So the relevant bodies of FIFA are dealing with it, and we are hoping, any moment, we will hear their decisions… But we are confident we have a good case. But I keep saying, we have put the World Cup behind us already. Whatever happens, it is what it is. But we are not looking at that, we are looking at how do you build for the next competitions, the next AFCON, the next WAFCON is next month.
“World Cup is a closed chapter, but yes, we have a pending legal issue to deal with.
“Even FIFA, it’s not the FIFA deciding, there are independent bodies in FIFA who are independent of FIFA; disciplinary committee, ethics committee, are independent bodies of FIFA, they make their decision based on what they see on the rules and they won’t tell you, we are doing it tomorrow or next tomorrow, when they finish, they will tell the world.”
With back-to-back World Cup absences (2022 and now likely 2026) looming, the Super Eagles are pivoting toward rebuilding—starting with these high-profile friendlies against strong opposition. For Nigerian fans, the dream of North America 2026 may be over, but the road to future glory begins now. Read More
