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Portugal are close to finalising plans for a high-profile international friendly against Nigeria in June, with talks between the two football federations said to be at an advanced stage, footynaija.com reports.
The match, which is expected to form part of Portugal’s build-up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, is provisionally pencilled in for 6 June and could be staged in Lisbon. Afrik-Foot reports that an agreement in principle has been reached, with only minor details still to be resolved before confirmation.
If completed, the fixture would bring together two of world football’s most recognisable forwards, Cristiano Ronaldo and Victor Osimhen, in what would be one of the standout international friendlies of the summer.
Although Nigeria failed to qualify for the expanded World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico, their recent performances have boosted their reputation.
The Super Eagles finished third at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco, a run that reinforced their status as one of the continent’s most competitive sides and increased their appeal as opposition for World Cup-bound nations.
Portugal, who have already secured qualification, are keen to test themselves against strong and contrasting opponents. They currently know two of their three group-stage rivals (Colombia and Uzbekistan) with a third team still to be decided through an intercontinental play-off later in March.
Ladies & gentlemen, the goal that sent the Super Eagles to the Quarter-Finals is right here. ✨#TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 | @NGSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/xt5OvscEJi
— TotalEnergies AFCON 2025 (@CAF_Online) January 28, 2024
The only previous meeting between the two nations came in November 2022, just days before the World Cup in Qatar, when Portugal recorded a 4–0 win over Nigeria at Lisbon’s Estádio José Alvalade. Bruno Fernandes scored twice, with Gonçalo Ramos and João Mário also on the scoresheet.
A return fixture would offer Nigeria another valuable chance to measure themselves against elite European opposition, while Portugal would see the Super Eagles as a demanding test ahead of their World Cup campaign.
