Iran Cancels March Friendlies Against Nigeria And Costa Rica, World Cup Preparations in Doubt
Iran has canceled its planned friendly matches against Nigeria and Costa Rica this March, throwing uncertainty into its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The games were scheduled to take place in Jordan, but according to Iranian newspaper Khabar Fori, widespread flight disruptions and political tensions in the region forced the Iranian Football Federation to call them off.
Nigeria is now searching for alternative opponents to fill the gap. The cancellations have raised questions about how Iran will prepare for the tournament, especially as its federation faces mounting challenges in organizing international fixtures.
Mehdi Taj, president of the Iranian Football Federation, added to the uncertainty by suggesting that Iran might even withdraw from the World Cup despite qualifying on merit.
Speaking to Tasnim News Agency, Taj remarked that while Iran earned its place fairly, the federation does not see a promising future for the tournament and will wait to decide its next steps.
Iran has been drawn into Group G alongside Egypt, New Zealand, and Belgium. With the World Cup approaching, the sudden cancellations highlight the fragile state of Iran’s preparations and cast doubt on its readiness for football’s biggest stage.
