Turkey hosts an international friendly between Team Melli and the Super Eagles this afternoon, as one nation prepares for a World Cup they may not participate in and the other looks to recover from failing to qualify. This match is part of a four-nation invitational tournament, which also includes Jordan and Costa.
Iran were among the first teams to book their place at the summer tournament, but ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including co-hosts USA, have seen them heavily suggest that they will play no part. With three group games scheduled on US soil, Iran have cited security concerns should they travel to north America. This is their first fixture since the conflict began.
Nigeria, meanwhile, lost to DR Congo last year to end their hopes of being one of the 48 teams competing across the USA, Canada and Mexico in July and July. They have recovered some pride with a third-place finish at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, but the road to redemption will be long. Follow the game LIVE below with our dedicated match blog, featuring expert insight and analysis.
Iran vs Nigeria latest news
- Kick-off: 12.3opm GMT, Mardan Sports Complex
- How to watch in UK
- Iran line-up
- Nigeria line-up
NO GOAL!
14:12 , Alex Young73min: Taremi thinks he has levelled the scores, but he charged down a Nigeria clearance with his hand before slotting home. No goal.
GOAL!
14:07 , Alex Young67min: Iran pull one back!
Iran win back-to-back corners, and the second is sent crashing against the crossbar, and the follow-up is tucked home from close range by captain Taremi.
Iran 0-2 Nigeria
14:05 , Alex Young
Iran 0-2 Nigeria
14:01 , Alex Young63min: It’s wave after wave of Iran attacks at the moment, but Nigeria standing tall so far.
Iran 0-2 Nigeria
14:00 , Alex Young60min: Oh, Nemati!
Iran win a free kick around 25 yards out. It’s whipped into the six-yard box from oiut wide, the forward ghosts in to get a toe on the end of it but cannot direct an effort on target.
Iran 0-2 Nigeria
13:56 , Alex Young57min: Nwaiwu is on for his first cap for Nigeria.
Iran 0-2 Nigeria
13:55 , Alex Young56min: Looks like Ogbu’s game is done. He’s taken a heavy knock and will be replaced.
GOAL!
13:51 , Alex Young52min: So much for that brighter start from Iran!
Lookman slips in Akor for a simple finish inside the far post, and Nigeria are now in firm control.
Iran 0-1 Nigeria
13:49 , Alex Young51min: Iran with more urgency in this half, already pressing Nigeria and causing some mistakes.
Iran 0-1 Nigeria
13:47 , Alex Young48min: Nigeria have been sloppy in possession in these early stages of the second half, but Lookman carves open a yard of space to have a pop at goal which rolls wide.
Second half!
13:44 , Alex Young46min: We’re back underway!
It’s fair to say, neither team is in much of a hurry.
Looks like Iran are making at least four substitutions.
The players are making their way out for the second half.
Second half is starting soon.
Iran 0-1 Nigeria
13:22 , Alex Young46min: Just a single second of first-half injury time played. Nigiera with the lead through Simon’s sixth-miunte goal.
Iran 0-1 Nigeria
13:19 , Alex Young43min: Iran struggling to get out of their half as the break approaches. Ndidi has been particularly busy, up against Ghorbani and Gholizadeh in the middle of the park.
Iran 0-1 Nigeria
13:14 , Alex Young37min: Not a huge crowd at the Mardan Sports Complex, but the TV cameras continue to pan to one, very interested, you fan in the stands.
Iran 0-1 Nigeria
13:06 , Alex Young30min: Ghoddos wins a free kick on the right flank, it’s floated in towards Nemati, Osayi-Samuel heads clear.
Iran 0-1 Nigeria
12:58 , Alex Young21min: Another fantastic drive into the area by Simon, who has started this game so brightly, but Ghoddos is on hand to boot the ball clear.
Nigeria enjoying a sustained period of possession.
Iran 0-1 Nigeria
12:54 , Alex Young13min: It’s been a decent response from Iran since going behind, with Taremi just now getting around his mark on the right flank before bursting into the box, but no team-mate in a white shirt to pick out.
GOAL!
12:47 , Alex Young6min: It’s a dream start for Nigeria as Simon drills home!
The forward is spotted in space by Chukwueze, spins away from his marker and finds the bottom left-hand corner.
What a finish!
Kick-off!
12:44 , Alex Young1min: Here we go!
This is just the second time these two teams have met, after a goalless draw during the 2014 World Cup group stage.
The big news for Nigeria is that Osimhen is unavailable due to a broken arm, joining Bassey and Aina on the sidelines.
The uncapped trio of Otele, Sor and Fernandez are on the bench. Iwobi, so crucial from the recent Africa Cup of Nations, is set to earn his 98th cap.
Confirmed starting XIs
12:01 , Alex YoungIran XI: Beyranvand, Nemati, Khalilzadeh, Kanani, Yousefi, Mohammadi, Ghoddos, Ghorbani, Mohebbi, Gholizadeh, Taremi
Nigeria XI: Okoye, Osayi, Ndidi, Ogbu, Ajayi, Akor, Chukwueze, Onyemaechi, Simon, Iwobi, Lookman, Adams
Iran XI
12:00 , Alex YoungAnd here’s how Iran line up!
One player who will not be taking part for Iran this afternoon, or next week, is Sardar Azmoun.
Reports in Iran claim that the striker, who has 57 goals in 91 internatonal games, was left out of the tournament squad due to ‘disloyalty’.
Azmoun is said to have upset the Iranian authorities by meeting Dubai’s ruler, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and posting about the visit on Instagram.
One change to the Nigeria squad ahead of the game as Chibuike Nwaiwu, of Trabzonspor, has replaced Fulham’s Calvin Bassey who is injured.
Nigeria XI
11:47 , Alex YoungThe Super Eagles have gone early and confirmed their starting line-up!
Your #SuperEagles squad to face Iran.#IRNNGA #SoarSuperEagles pic.twitter.com/6KrUrrXbXR
— 🇳🇬 Super Eagles (@NGSuperEagles) March 27, 2026
Predicted XIs
11:33 , Alex YoungPredicted Iran XI: Beiranvand; Hardani, Nemati, Kanaanizadegan, Mohammadi; Razzaghinia, Ezatolahi; Hashemnejad, Ghoddos, Mohebi; Taremi.
Predicted Nigeria XI: Okoye; Osayi-Samuel, Ajayi, Ogbu, Onyemaechi; Ndidi, Iwobi, Onyeka; Lookman, Onuachu, Akor.
How to watch in the UK
11:14 , Alex YoungThere is no UK TV channel with broadcast rights for this game, but bookmaker website bet365 is showing live coverage for those with an account.
Those wishing to use that streaming service, may need to make a deposit in their account to gain access to the live stream.
Iran vs Nigeria LIVE
10:58 , Alex YoungHello and welcome to the London Standard’s LIVE coverage of the international friendly between Iran and Nigeria.
It is a first game for Iran since the conflict in the Middle East broke out, and is part of their preparations for a summer World Cup which they may never play in.
Nigeria, meanwhile, failed to qualify for the tournament, so will already be looking at the future.
This match is part of a four-nation invitational tournament, which also includes Jordan and Costa.
Kick-off is at 1pm GMT. Stick with us.
