Nigeria’s Super Eagles may see their upcoming international friendlies against Jordan and Iran called off following escalating military tensions in the Middle East involving the United States and Israel against Iran.
The three time African champions are scheduled to participate in a four nation invitational tournament in Amman, where they are billed to face Iran on March 31 before taking on Jordan four days later. However, growing security concerns have cast serious doubt over whether the matches will proceed as planned.
Éric Chelle’s side were expected to use the tournament as part of preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures, but the worsening conflict in the region has raised questions about the safety of the participating teams and the feasibility of Iran’s involvement in the competition.
The situation intensified after joint military strikes by the United States and Israel targeted major Iranian cities, including Tehran. The US President Donald Trump declared that Iran would be hit “with a force that has never been seen before,” signalling a significant escalation in hostilities.
In response, Iran reportedly launched missile attacks on targets in neighbouring countries such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, further destabilising the region. There have also been reports of retaliatory actions affecting areas including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Syria, heightening fears about security across the Middle East.
The rising violence has prompted concerns from football authorities and participating nations, particularly as some of the countries affected are preparing for the upcoming World Cup scheduled to take place in the United States, Canada and Mexico in three months. Iran are among the qualified teams for the global tournament, but there are unconfirmed reports suggesting the possibility of a boycott following the recent airstrikes.
With bombs reportedly exchanged over the weekend and military operations ongoing, uncertainty now surrounds the planned fixtures in Amman. The safety of players, coaching staff and supporters remains the primary concern, and an official decision on the tournament is expected in the coming days.
For the Super Eagles, the potential cancellation would disrupt preparations, but attention will remain focused on ensuring the welfare of all involved as tensions continue to rise in the region.
