The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has confirmed that the Super Eagles will face Russia in an international friendly match at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium on Tuesday, October 6, 2026.

The announcement was made via the NFF's official X account following confirmation by Nigeria's FIFA Match Agent, Jairo Pachon of Eurodatasports. The encounter comes just one week after Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Guinea-Bissau on September 29.

Key Details & Match Context

  • Busy Schedule: Head coach Eric Chelle’s side will start their 2027 AFCON Group C qualifying campaign against Madagascar at home on September 25 before traveling to face Guinea-Bissau on September 29, followed by the trip to Russia.

  • Second Meeting in 16 Months: This will be the second clash between both nations since their June 6, 2025, friendly at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium, which ended in a 1-1 draw following an own goal by Semi Ajayi and a 71st-minute equalizer from Tolu Arokodare.

  • FIFA Rankings: The Super Eagles currently hold the 26th spot in the FIFA world rankings, while Russia is ranked 35th.

  • Venue: The match will take place at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, which previously hosted matches during the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

The high-profile fixture will serve as an opportunity for coach Chelle to test squad depth and refine tactics ahead of upcoming competitive international windows.