PLDC - Iran’s national football team suffered a 2–1 defeat against Nigeria in a friendly match as part of their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States. The match took place on Friday, March 27, 2026, in Antalya, Turkey. Mehdi Taremi scored Iran’s only goal of the game.
Before kickoff, Iranian players held backpacks in tribute to the students who lost their lives at an elementary school in Minab.
The national team is currently preparing for the 2026 World Cup amid restrictions imposed by Iran’s Ministry of Sports, which has reportedly banned national and club teams from competing in countries it considers “hostile.”
Head coach Amir Ghalenoei has most of his regular players available in the training camp in Turkey. However, Sardar Azmoun has been excluded from the squad following his recent critical stance toward the Iranian government.
