Portugal starting lineup vs Nigeria confirmed for final friendly before FIFA World Cup 2026
(Courtesy : Getty)
This will be the second-ever encounter between these nations.
The Portugal national football team will now have a face-off against the Nigeria national football team for their final friendly outing ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Roberto Martinez-led side are placed in Group K of the mega competition. Their preparations for the grandest stage of football are going fine. Seleção das Quinas are coming in after securing a 2-1 win against Chile in their last friendly outing. They controlled the game well from the start, but conceded a goal in the final moments. The Portugal national football team will not be willing to make similar mistakes this time around.
The Super Eagles failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup 2026. They will now be looking to come up with a tough challenge for Cristiano Ronaldo and company. The Nigeria national football team haven’t faced a defeat in their last five matches and will be looking to continue their positive run of form.
The 2025 Nations League winners have one of the top lineups at the moment and will be looking to come up with another top performance. Rafael Leao conceded a red card and will not be a part of this friendly.
Portugal’s confirmed lineup for their final World Cup warm-up match against Nigeria (4-2-3-1):
Goalkeeper: Diogo Costa
Defenders: Diogo Dalot, Gonçalo Inácio, Ruben Dias, Nelson Semedo
Midfielders: Joao Neves, Vitinha, Bruno Fernandes
Forwards: Trincao, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pedro Neto
Substitutes: José Sa, Rui Silva, Bernardo Silva, Joao Cancelo, Renato Veiga, Rúben Neves, Gonçalo Guedes, Gonçalo Ramos, João Félix, Tomás Araújo, Samu, Nuno Mendes, Ricardo Velho, Francisco Conceição
Thoughts on the lineup
Cristiano Ronaldo is going to don the captain’s armband once again. As Rafael Leao is suspended, Pedro Neto and Trincao are set to help CR7 in the final third.
One of the strongest midfields, Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha and Joao Neves are going to establish control in the game.
Ruben Dias will be alongside Gonçalo Inácio as the centre-backs. At left back, we Nelson Semedo and on the right it will be Diogo Dalot. Nuno Mendes might come on as a sub later in the game.
Between the sticks, it will be Diogo Costa. He was not in action during the previous friendly, but is set to start this time around.
Will Cristiano Ronaldo play in Portugal vs Nigeria international friendly?
Yes, the 41-year-old is fit and will be in action.
Where and how to watch Portugal vs Nigeria friendly in India?
SonyLIV and Sony Sports Network can be used to watch the fixture live.
When and where is Portugal vs Nigeria international friendly?
The match takes place in Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria, Portugal, on June 10.
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Dilpreet is a dedicated football writer with a keen eye for World Football. As a proud Real Madrid fan, we believe his work reflects the same ambition and precision. Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion. With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers.