By Kunle Solaja.

Jordan have earmarked their international friendly against Nigeria as a crucial dress rehearsal ahead of their historic appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

According to a report by Jordanian newspaper Ad Dustour, the Nashama have lined up four high-profile friendly matches designed to fine-tune both their tactical structure and physical conditioning before the tournament kicks off in June.

The Jordan Football Association confirmed that the national team will participate in a four-nation invitational tournament in Amman next March, featuring Iran, Nigeria and Costa Rica as part of their final preparations.

Under the tournament schedule, Jordan will open their campaign against Costa Rica on Friday, March 27 at the King Abdullah II Stadium, while Nigeria face Iran at the Amman International Stadium on the same day.

Jordan will then confront Nigeria on Tuesday, March 31, in what observers describe as a significant test match and a practical simulation of World Cup intensity. Iran and Costa Rica will clash in the parallel fixture.

Officials view the Nigeria encounter as particularly strategic, offering Jordan exposure to African opposition with physicality and technical flair similar to what they expect in the World Cup group phase.

The Jordanian side will conclude their preparations with two further international friendlies in Europe and North America. They face Switzerland on May 31 in St. Gallen before travelling to San Diego to meet Colombia on June 7. The team will then establish its official World Cup base in Portland, United States.

Jordan are drawn in Group 10 alongside reigning world champions Argentina, as well as Algeria and Austria — a group widely regarded by analysts as highly competitive.

Spokespersons speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra) expressed confidence in head coach Jamal Salami, noting that the technical crew intend to utilise the friendly fixtures to elevate readiness levels before the demanding group-stage matches.

National coach Ahmed Hayel emphasised the importance of facing diverse footballing styles, describing the four friendlies as ideal preparation against different “football schools.” He reiterated confidence in the team’s capacity to spring surprises at the World Cup.

Former coach and player Abdul Salam Al-Hazaima echoed similar sentiments, stressing that the federation has worked extensively to ensure optimal preparation for the country’s first-ever participation at the global showpiece.

Ex-international Qusai Abu Alia described March as a decisive phase in Jordan’s build-up, pointing to the squad’s high morale and blend of experienced stars as factors that could inspire a positive campaign.

Meanwhile, Algeria have also stepped up their World Cup build-up, with the Algerian Football Federation confirming friendly fixtures against Guatemala and Uruguay during the March international window in Italy. Algeria will face Guatemala on March 27 in Genoa before meeting Uruguay on March 31 in Turin.

With a structured preparatory programme and carefully selected opponents, Jordan appear determined to use their meeting with Nigeria and other high-calibre sides as a final competitive rehearsal before stepping onto football’s biggest stage.

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Brazil will use their international friendly against Egypt as a tactical rehearsal for their World Cup opener against Morocco, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) has confirmed.

The five-time world champions are scheduled to face Egypt on June 6 at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, USA — exactly one week before they kick off their Group C campaign against Morocco on June 13 in the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Though officially listed as part of Brazil’s final preparations, the fixture is widely seen as a strategic move by coach Carlo Ancelotti to simulate the physicality, pace and tactical discipline often associated with North African opposition, particularly Morocco.

Egypt, like Morocco, blend technical ability with defensive organisation and quick transitions — traits that propelled the Atlas Lions to global acclaim in recent tournaments. Facing the Pharaohs offers Brazil an opportunity to rehearse patterns of play against opponents who share stylistic similarities with their World Cup rivals.

The June 6 encounter will be played at the 67,000-seat Huntington Bank Field, home of the NFL’s Cleveland Browns, and will mark the Seleção’s final outing before the tournament begins.

Brazil open their campaign against Morocco in Group C, which also includes Scotland and Haiti. The South Americans are expected to top the group but are wary of Morocco’s growing stature on the world stage.

Historically, Brazil have dominated their meetings with Egypt, winning all six previous encounters. Their most recent clash came in 2011.

Before the Egypt test, Brazil will also play high-profile friendlies in March against France and Croatia on American soil as part of a carefully structured build-up.

With Ancelotti at the helm, Brazil appear to be leaving little to chance — using Egypt not merely as opposition, but as a measuring stick to decode what could await them when they face Morocco on the sport’s biggest stage.

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Brazil striker Neymar, who extended his contract with his childhood club Santos last month, said that he may retire by the end of the year.

The 34-year-old forward returned to his boyhood club Santos in January 2025 and played a key role in their survival in the Brazilian top flight, scoring five times in their last five matches.

But Neymar, who has struggled with injuries in recent seasons, remains doubtful for participation at the World Cup this year.

“I don’t know what will happen from now on, I don’t know about next year,” he told Brazilian online channel Caze on Friday.

“It may be that when December comes, I’ll want to retire. I’m living year to year now.”

“This year is a very important year, not only for Santos, but also for the Brazilian national team, as it’s a World Cup year, and for me too,” Neymar said.

Neymar, who recently underwent successful knee surgery, has scored 79 goals for Brazil, the highest by any player, but he has not featured for the national side since October 2023.

Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear over the past year that he will only include players who are fully fit for the World Cup, scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19 in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

-Reuters

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