The Super Eagles will now take part in the upcoming four-nation friendly tournament after organisers moved the event to Turkey, addressing earlier security concerns.
Nigeria had initially withdrawn from the competition, which was originally scheduled to be held in the Middle East, citing safety risks linked to ongoing regional tensions. The team is set to face Costa Rica national football team, Jordan national football team, and Iran national football team as part of preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Venue switch clears safety concerns
According to Afrik-Foot, a senior official of the Nigeria Football Federation confirmed that the change in venue played a key role in the team’s decision to return.
“There has been a lot of speculation about whether the tournament would hold or not. From our end, once the crisis in the Middle East began, we chose not to participate,” the official said.
“However, with the venue now moved to Turkey, which is considered safe for the players, and with assurances from the organisers, we have resumed communication with the team.”
Chance to rebuild after AFCON
The decision marks a swift turnaround, with Nigeria now set to use the tournament as part of its rebuilding process following its recent outing at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“It will be a good opportunity to see the players back in action since the AFCON. I can confirm that we will now compete in Turkey, with all other arrangements unchanged except the venue,” the official added.
Head coach Eric Chelle is expected to announce his squad in the coming days, with the tournament providing a valuable platform to assess new talents alongside established players.
Nigeria, who finished as bronze medallists at the 2025 AFCON, will be aiming to fine-tune preparations ahead of their upcoming competitive fixtures.
