Russia to Play Friendly Match Against Nigeria Despite FIFA Ban
Russia, ranked 34th in the World, has announced an international friendly match against Nigeria’s Super Eagles, despite being banned by FIFA.
Since 2022, Russian teams have been banned from participating in FIFA-sanctioned tournaments, including World Cup qualifiers. While FIFA’s ban does not specifically cover friendly matches, most national teams have avoided scheduling games with Russia to align with FIFA’s position.
However, the Russian Football Union (RFU) has confirmed their 2025 fixture with Nigeria in a statement.
The statement said: “The Russian Football Union has reached agreements with the football federations of Zambia, Nigeria, and Belarus to hold friendly matches in upcoming FIFA windows. In March, Valery Karpin’s team will play Zambia in Moscow, with the exact time and location to be announced later.”
On June 6, Russia will face Nigeria in a home match, and on June 10, they will play against Belarus away. The venues and start times for both matches will be revealed in the near future.
The friendly match with Russia is expected to help Nigeria prepare for their upcoming continental commitments.
More details about the match, including venue and timing, will be announced soon.
