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 fixture, confirmed by Nigeria’s FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports, will be the second meeting between both countries in 16 months.
Nigeria and Russia last faced each other on June 6, 2025, at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, where they played out a 1-1 draw. Russia took the lead through an own goal by Nigeria defender Semi Ajayi, before Tolu Arokodare equalised after the break.
The Super Eagles, who failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, have since featured in several international fixtures.
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They retained the Afro-Caribbean Unity Cup in London, drew 2-2 with Poland in Warsaw and lost 2-1 to Portugal in Meira.
The October clash will be Russia’s second game at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, which hosted matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Russia previously defeated Cyprus 1-0 at the venue in a Euro 2020 qualifier in June 2019.
Nigeria currently occupy 26th position in the FIFA rankings, while Russia are ranked 35th.
The friendly will come just one week after Nigeria’s second 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Guinea-Bissau on September 29. The Super Eagles will begin their qualifying campaign against Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in Uyo on September 25.
The encounter with Russia is expected to provide Nigeria with another valuable test as the team prepares for its 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign.
