Nigeria to Face Russia in International Friendly in October

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will face Russia in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

The match will be the second meeting between the two countries in 16 months, with the fixture confirmed by Nigeria’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports.

The two sides last met on June 6, 2025, at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, where they played out a 1-1 draw.

Russia took the lead through an own goal by Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi in the first half, before Tolu Arokodare equalised for the Super Eagles after the break.

Nigeria, who missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico, have since played a number of international matches.

The Super Eagles retained the Afro-Caribbean Unity Cup in London, drew 2-2 with Poland in Warsaw and suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat to Portugal in Meira.

The October friendly will take place at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, which hosted matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

It will be Russia’s second game at the stadium. They previously defeated Cyprus 1-0 there in a 2020 European Championship qualifier in June 2019.

Nigeria are currently ranked 26th in the FIFA world rankings, while Russia sit 35th.

The match will come exactly one week after Nigeria’s second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

Before travelling to Bissau, the Super Eagles will open their AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 25.

The Russia friendly will therefore provide another important test for Nigeria as the team continues preparations for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers.