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By Joe Apu
Portugal will conclude their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with an international friendly against Nigeria on Wednesday night, as Roberto Martinez’s side seeks to fine-tune its squad ahead of the tournament opener against DR Congo on June 17.
The Selecao enters the match carrying high expectations, with a star-studded squad widely regarded as one of the strongest heading to North America. Portugal are aiming to capture the World Cup title for the first time in their history and will view the clash against Nigeria as a crucial final test before competitive action begins.
Adding further significance to the campaign is the prospect of Cristiano Ronaldo’s final appearance at a World Cup. The veteran forward, who has enjoyed one of football’s most decorated careers, remains in pursuit of the one major trophy that has eluded him.
Portugal head into the encounter buoyed by a 2-1 victory over Chile on Saturday, with Goncalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes on target. The result extended confidence within the squad as Martinez continues to build momentum ahead of the global showpiece.
The Europeans are drawn in Group K alongside DR Congo, Uzbekistan and Colombia and are expected to progress to the knockout rounds. However, Martinez is keen to ensure his players maintain sharpness and cohesion before the tournament begins.
Nigeria, meanwhile, arrive in Portugal still recovering from the disappointment of missing out on World Cup qualification. The Super Eagles saw their hopes dashed after a penalty shootout defeat to DR Congo in the CAF playoff final, ending their quest to qualify for a tournament in which they have been regular participants since 1994.
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Despite that setback, Eric Chelle’s men have enjoyed an impressive run of form. Nigeria are unbeaten in their last six matches and have won nine of their previous 12 outings. They also retained the Unity Cup in London after victories over Zimbabwe and Jamaica, while their most recent outing ended in a 2-2 draw against Poland.
The Super Eagles will be without key attackers Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, depriving the team of two of its most potent offensive threats. However, Nigeria still possess enough quality to provide a stern challenge for Portugal.
Portugal have received a boost with the arrival of their Paris Saint-Germain quartet of Nuno Mendes, Vitinha, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos, who recently completed club duties following the UEFA Champions League final. All four players are expected to feature, although their minutes may be carefully managed.
Martinez has no major injury concerns ahead of the game and could opt to rest Ronaldo from the start as part of workload management plans before the World Cup. Bruno Fernandes is expected to play a key role in midfield, providing creativity and leadership as Portugal seek to dominate possession and create scoring opportunities.
For Nigeria, goalkeeper Maduka Okoye is expected to start behind a defence likely to include Emmanuel Fernandez and Igoh Ogbu. In midfield, Wilfred Ndidi and Frank Onyeka are tipped to anchor the side, while Moses Simon’s pace could prove vital on the counterattack. Terem Moffi and Akor Adams are expected to lead the line.
The fixture will mark only the second-ever senior international meeting between the two nations. Portugal won the previous encounter 4-0 in a friendly in November 2022, but Nigeria’s recent form suggests they could offer a much sterner challenge this time around.
With the World Cup just days away, Wednesday’s contest presents Portugal with an opportunity to complete their preparations on a positive note, while Nigeria will be eager to demonstrate their quality despite their absence from the tournament.
