Portugal will wrap up their World Cup 2026 preparations with a friendly against Nigeria on Wednesday evening, before flying out to North America and settling into their base camp in Florida in the United States.

Portugal’s Squad and World Cup Chances

Roberto Martinez’s side are one of the favourites to win the World Cup and have a football squad packed full of talent, including star names such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes and Bernardo Silva.

They’ll be desperate for a winning send-off in this final World Cup warm-up match after securing victory against Chile in another friendly in Oeiras on Saturday.

Portugal won that encounter 2-1 with Goncalo Guedes and Bruno Fernandes scoring for the hosts — But it was a feisty encounter, and both sides were reduced to 10 men, with Portugal’s Rafael Leao sent off for punching a Chile player.

Nigeria’s World Cup Absence and Squad

Nigeria won’t be heading to the World Cup this summer, but the Super Eagles are unbeaten in their last six matches and will provide a stern test for their opponents.

Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman are both absent from the Nigeria squad, and Both were expected to play in these end-of-season friendlies against Poland and Portugal, but have been rested. Atletico Madrid are requesting this for Lookman following a busy season.

It was also deemed that Osimhen’s workload should be protected — As well as Osimhen and Lookman, Samson Tijani and Alhassan Yusuf are also missing from the Nigeria squad due to visa issues.

Terem Moffi and Akor Adams are expected to start the match up front after performing the same role in Nigeria’s recent friendly against Poland.

Portugal’s squad includes goalkeepers Diogo Costa, Jose Sa, Rui Silva, and Ricardo Velho, as well as defenders Diogo Dalot, Matheus Nunes, Nelson Semedo, Joao Cancelo, Nuno Mendes, Goncalo Inacio, Renato Veiga, Ruben Dias, and Tomas Araujo.

Midfielders Ruben Neves, Samuel Costa, Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes, and Bernardo Silva will also feature, with forwards Joao Felix, Francisco Trincao, Francisco Conceicao, Pedro Neto, Rafael Leao, Goncalo Guedes, Goncalo Ramos, and Cristiano Ronaldo included.

Portugal’s World Cup Schedule and Nigeria’s Future

Portugal start their campaign next Wednesday, facing the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in Houston, Texas in the US; that match kicks off at midday local time (17:00 GMT).

They’ll return to the same venue six days later to face Uzbekistan on June 23, before rounding out Group K with a highly anticipated game against Colombia in Miami on June 27.

Roberto Martinez has chosen Florida for Portugal’s camp, with the squad based in Palm Beach Gardens.

Nigeria’s disjointed World Cup qualifying campaign saw two changes of managers. Despite a squad containing the likes of Victor Osimhen, Alex Iwobi and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria lost the African playoff final on penalties after a 1-1 draw with DRC.

Nigeria’s qualification campaign was overseen by three different managers, with Jose Peseiro, Finidi George and Eric Chelle all taking charge at various stages. There was also mutiny in the Nigerian ranks ahead of their playoff semifinal against Gabon, with players and staff boycotting training due to a dispute over unpaid allowances and bonuses.

The Super Eagles will soon turn their attention to qualification for the 2027 African Cup of Nations (AFCON), which is being jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. After a good run of form. Which includes a third-place finish at the most recent African Cup of Nations, Eric Chelle will hope for a smoother qualification campaign compared to their efforts to reach the World Cup.

Nigeria have picked up some good results in recent months, including draws with Poland and Jordan and a win over Iran.

These sides have only met once before, playing another World Cup warm-up match in November 2022 ahead of the Qatar tournament, though Portugal ran out 4-0 winners in Lisbon, with Bruno Fernandes scoring twice in the first half before late goals from Goncalo Ramos and Joao Mario.

After taking a rest following their Champions League final win over Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain’s Portuguese contingent have now joined up with the squad; Vitinha, Nuno Mendes, Joao Neves and Goncalo Ramos are all in training and could line up to face Nigeria.

Despite being sent off against Chile, Rafael Leao is available for Wednesday’s match. Nigeria’s predicted starting XI includes Maduka Okoye (goalkeeper); Abdullahi Bewene, Igoh Ogbu, Emmanuel Fernandez, Bruno Onyemaechi, Moses Simon, Frank Onyeka, Wilfred Ndidi, Tochukwu Nnadi; Akor Adams, Terem Moffi.