Super Eagles to Face Russia in Friendly Match October 2026

The Super Eagles of Nigeria are scheduled to face Russia in an international friendly match at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) announced this fixture on its official X handle, stating it will be the second meeting between the two nations in 16 months.

The previous encounter ended in a 1-1 draw, where Russia initially took the lead with an own goal by Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi in the 27th minute, before Tolu Arokodare equalized for Nigeria in the 71st minute. In that match, Russia had 58 percent possession compared to Nigeria's 42 percent and recorded 10 shots against Nigeria's six.

Since being barred from official FIFA and UEFA competitions in 2022, Russia has been focusing on arranging friendly matches with various national teams, including several from Africa, to maintain competitive activity. The upcoming fixture will provide both teams an opportunity to assess their squads ahead of future international engagements.