Super Eagles to Face Russia Again 16 Months After Moscow Draw

Nigeria’s Super Eagles will take on Russia in an international friendly at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) Communications Department has confirmed.

The fixture was confirmed by Nigeria’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports, as both countries prepare for another meeting after their previous encounter ended in a draw.

Nigeria and Russia Meet Again

The Super Eagles and Russia previously faced each other on June 6, 2025, at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium.

Russia took the lead through an own goal by Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi in the first half, but Nigeria responded after the break as Tolu Arokodare scored to secure a 1-1 draw.

The October meeting in Nizhny Novgorod will therefore provide both sides with another opportunity to test themselves against each other.

Super Eagles’ Road to October

The friendly will come shortly after Nigeria’s opening two matches in the qualification campaign for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria will begin their AFCON qualification campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on Friday, September 25, before travelling to Bissau to face Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs on Tuesday, September 29.

The Russia friendly is scheduled exactly one week after the Guinea-Bissau fixture, giving the Super Eagles another competitive international assignment during the October FIFA window.

Russia Awaits in Nizhny Novgorod

The match will be played at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, a 44,000-capacity venue that hosted matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

For Russia, the encounter will be their second international match at the stadium.

Their previous appearance at the venue came in June 2019, when they defeated Cyprus 1-0 in a UEFA Euro qualifier.

Nigeria and Russia in the FIFA Rankings

According to the NFF, Nigeria are currently ranked 26th in the world, while Russia occupy the 35th position.

The meeting will therefore pit two teams separated by nine places in the FIFA rankings.

For Nigeria, the fixture will provide another opportunity to assess the squad against international opposition as preparations continue beyond AFCON qualification.

A Different Russia Test

The Super Eagles have remained active internationally despite missing out on the FIFA World Cup finals in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Nigeria retained the Afro-Caribbean Unity Cup Football Tournament in London, played out a 2-2 draw with Poland in Warsaw and narrowly lost 2-1 to Portugal in Meira.

The Russia fixture will add another European opponent to Nigeria’s recent international schedule.

For the Super Eagles, however, the priority will first be on their 2027 AFCON qualification campaign before attention turns to Nizhny Novgorod.

Nigeria vs Russia

International Friendly

🇷🇺 Russia vs Nigeria 🇳🇬
📅 Tuesday, October 6, 2026
🏟️ Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Russia
👥 Capacity: 44,000

The October 6 encounter will be the second meeting between Nigeria and Russia in 16 months, following their 1-1 draw in Moscow in June 2025.

With AFCON qualification matches against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau preceding the fixture, the Russia friendly will offer the Super Eagles another important test as they continue building towards their next major international challenges.

Source: NFF Communications Department