Sixteen months after their last meeting, the Super Eagles of Nigeria will on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, face the Russian national team in an international friendly at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium.
The Nigeria Football Federation announced the fixture on its official X handle on Tuesday, saying the match would be the “second meeting between both nations in 16 months.”
The NFF added that the fixture has been confirmed by Nigeria’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports.
Nigeria and Russia last meeting in a friendly in Moscow in June 2025, ended in a 1-1 draw.
Russia took the lead in the 27th minute courtesy of an own goal by a Nigerian defender, Semi Ajayi, before Tolu Arokodare equalised for the Super Eagles in the 71st minute.
Russia dominated possession with 58 per cent to Nigeria’s 42 per cent in the encounter, while the hosts also recorded more shots, 10 to Nigeria’s six.
The October fixture will give both sides another opportunity to test their squads ahead of their respective international engagements.
Russia, which had been barred from official FIFA and UEFA competitions since 2022, relied on arranging friendly matches against various national teams, including several African sides, to maintain competitive activity.
