Portugal head coach Roberto Martinez has defended the decision to schedule a pre-World Cup friendly against Nigeria, insisting the choice is both strategic and purposeful despite criticism from sections of the Portuguese media.
The Super Eagles, who will miss the 2026 World Cup, are set to face Portugal in Lisbon on June 10 in what forms part of Portugal’s final preparation games ahead of the tournament.
The fixture has sparked debate in Portugal, with some commentators questioning the logic of playing a team that failed to qualify, arguing that Portugal would benefit more from facing World Cup-bound opponents.
However, Martinez has pushed back on that view, explaining that the match serves a clear tactical purpose. Portugal are set to open their World Cup campaign against DR Congo, an African side that, ironically, played a role in Nigeria’s failure to reach the intercontinental playoffs.
According to Martinez, facing Nigeria offers his squad valuable exposure to the style, intensity, and physicality of African opposition. He described Nigeria as one of the continent’s traditional powerhouses, making them an ideal test regardless of their absence from the tournament.
The game is expected to give Portugal an early feel of the challenges they could encounter on the global stage when the World Cup kicks off.
