When is Super Eagles’ next match vs Russia? Latest fixtures, results, AFCON standings and squad news

Nigeria Super Eagles’ next match sees them face European giants Russia in an international friendly on Tuesday, October 6 at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Russia.

Eric Chelle and his boys will look to put a disappointing start to their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign behind them. This guide covers everything you need to know about the Super Eagles’ next fixtures, from kick-off times to venues.

So, when is the Super Eagles’ next match? Nigeria’s next fixture is against Russia on Tuesday, October 6. After losing 3-0 to Guinea-Bissau on matchday two of the AFCON 2027 qualifying campaign, the Super Eagles will be keen to return to winning ways with victory over 2018 World Cup hosts Russia.

Russia will host a wounded Super Eagles struggling to put together a string of positive results. After missing out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the three-time African champions have endured a mixed start in the AFCON qualifiers, with a comeback 2-1 win over Madagascar followed four days later by a crushing historic defeat against Guinea-Bissau’s Wild Dogs.

Super Eagles next match 2026/27: Next fixture, venue & date

Nigeria’s next match is an international friendly against Russia on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at the Nizhny Novgorod Stadium in Russia. The fixture comes exactly one week after the Super Eagles’ AFCON 2027 qualifier away to Guinea-Bissau, rounding off a busy three-match international window for Eric Chelle’s side.

Super Eagles’ next fixture/opponent: Russia

This will be the second meeting between Nigeria and Russia in 16 months. The two sides first met on June 6, 2025, at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, where Russia went ahead through a Semi Ajayi own goal before Tolu Arokodare levelled for the Super Eagles in a 1-1 draw.

Russia dominated possession in that game, and Nigeria will be looking for a more assertive performance this time out at the 44,000-capacity Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, one of the venues used at the 2018 World Cup.

About Russia (Sbornaya)

Quick facts

• Nickname: Sbornaya (The National Team), also known as Nashi Parni (Our Boys)
• FIFA Ranking: 35th (July 2026)
• Confederation: UEFA
• Head coach: Valery Karpin
• Captain: Aleksandr Golovin (Monaco)
• Greatest achievement: Third place at UEFA Euro 2008 (as independent Russia); runners-up at the 1964 European Championship and Olympic gold in 1956 and 1988 as the Soviet Union
• World Cup appearances: 10 (7 as the Soviet Union, 3 as Russia), including hosting the tournament in 2018
• Home stadium: Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow (also uses other venues, including RZD Arena)

Russia have been suspended from FIFA and UEFA competitions since 2022 following the invasion of Ukraine, a ban upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

With no access to World Cup or European Championship qualifying, the Sbornaya have had to build their entire schedule around friendlies, often against opponents from Africa, Asia and South America.

Despite the isolation, Russia remain one of the more historically decorated teams outside Western Europe. As the Soviet Union they reached ten World Cups and won the very first European Championship in 1960, and their best finish since independence came at Euro 2008, when a Guus Hiddink-coached side reached the semi-finals before finishing third.

Valery Karpin, a former Russia international and Real Sociedad player, has been in charge of the national team and continues to blend experienced European-based players like Golovin with a growing pool of Russian Premier League talent.

What to expect from Russia

Russia arrive in good form. Their 2026 friendly campaign has produced six wins, two draws and just two defeats, including recent results such as a 4-1 win over Qatar, a 2-1 win over Iran, a 3-0 win over Bolivia and a 3-1 win over Nicaragua.

Sandwiched between those results are a couple of 1-0 loss to Egypt in May and 2-0 defeat by Chile in November. That run suggests a team that is competitive but not invincible, particularly against sides who can match their physicality.

Aleksandr Golovin remains their standout performer and the player Nigeria’s midfield will need to track closely. The Monaco playmaker offers Russia their sharpest passing range and set-piece threat, and he already has experience of this fixture from the Moscow meeting.

Defensively, Russia tend to be well-organised, built around experienced centre-backs like Igor Diveev and Georgi Dzhikiya, though the earlier Nigeria game showed they can be vulnerable to direct, physical forward play, which is exactly the kind of threat Tolu Arokodare and the Super Eagles’ front line can offer.

With regular competitive football off the table, these friendlies matter to Russia as a way of keeping match sharpness and depth intact. Expect a side that dominates spells of possession, as they did in Moscow, but Nigeria’s pace on the counter should again give them openings if they are clinical in front of goal.

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Russia vs Nigeria: Head-to-head

Russia and Nigeria have met only once at senior international level, with the game ending in a 1-1 draw in Moscow on June 6, 2025. Russia took the lead through an own goal from Semi Ajayi, before Tolu Arokodare equalised for Nigeria in the second half.

Meetings: 1
Russia wins: 0
Nigeria wins: 0
Draws: 1
Goals: Russia 1-1 Nigeria

The October 6, 2026 friendly in Nizhny Novgorod will therefore be their second meeting.

Nigeria Super Eagles squad news

Invited Super Eagles stars for Russia match :

Goalkeepers: Chibuzor Atata, Samuel James, Stanley Nwabali.

Defenders: Kenneth Igboke, Isaac James, Benjamin Fredricks, Emmanuel Fernandez, Victory Akpe, Bright Osayi-Samuel, Abdullahi Bewene.

Midfielders: Wilfred Ndidi, Chibuzo Nwoko, Fumen Michael, Igor George Wilfred, Popoola Abdulrasaq, Suleiman Mubarak, Jacob Adeoye, Raphael Onyedika, Ria Foo.

Forwards: Kelechi Iheanacho, Peter Edokpolor, Moses Simon, Akor Adams, Umar Abubakar, Abdullahi Umar.

Latest Super Eagles squad news

Part of the Super Eagles delegation for next Tuesday’s friendly against Russia arrived in Nizhny Novgorod on Friday as coach Chelle opened Nigeria’s camp.

The first batch left the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Thursday evening. The travelling group was made up largely of backroom staff and NPFL players invited for the October 6 friendly.

Bursaspor striker Kelechi Iheanacho is among the first to land in Russia for the games as he was not involved in Nigeria’s AFCON 2027 qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.

Moses Simon and Akor Adams, two attackers who were involved in the AFCON 2027 qualifiers in Uyo and Bissau, have also reported to Nigeria’s Russia camp.

Russia vs Nigeria’s Super Eagles: Injuries and absentees

The Super Eagles will be without several regulars for Tuesday’s friendly against Russia in Nizhny Novgorod.

Key players including Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, Samuel Chukwueze, Ola Aina and Calvin Bassey were not invited for the encounter.

Getafe midfielder Christantus Uche, who has featured on the fringes of the senior squad, is also unavailable after injury ruled him out of the trip.

Captain Wilfred Ndidi and Basel defender Akpe Victor have both withdrawn from the fixture, further reducing Eric Chelle’s options for the friendly. Youngsters Vince Osuji and John Otomewo have been called up as the pair’s replacements.

Most of the invited players are expected to travel directly to Russia from their respective club bases as the Super Eagles prepare for their second meeting with Russia.

The match also gives Chelle an opportunity to assess alternative options and emerging players ahead of the U23 AFCON qualifiers in November.

Latest Super Eagles results

Guinea-Bissau 3-0 Nigeria, 29 September 2026

In the most recent Super Eagles fixture, Nigeria stumbled to their worst-ever defeat AFCON qualifying history in Bissau.

Nigeria’s Super Eagles humbled by Wild Dogs

Nigeria 2-1 Madagascar, 25 September 2026

Nigeria powered to a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Madagascar to open their AFCON qualifying campaign with a positive result.

How the Super Eagles overcame Madagascar

Portugal 2-1 Nigeria, 10 June 2026

In Nigeria’s last international friendly of the summer, Chelle’s men suffered a narrow defeat to a Cristiano Ronaldo-inspired Portugal on the eve of the 2026 World Cup.

Match report of Super Eagles vs Portugal

Poland 2-2 Nigeria, 3 June 2026

The three-time African champions forced their European hosts to a thrilling draw in a game Nigeria came close to winning.

Super Eagles’ thrilling draw with Poland: Match report

Jamaica 0-3 Nigeria, 30 May 2026

Nigeria claimed this year’s invitational Unity Cup with a comprehensive victory over the Caribbean giants.

Unity Cup final win over Jamaica match report

Nigeria 2-0 Zimbabwe, 26 May 2026

Without key players like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, the former continental champions made light work of their African brothers with a couple of new stars making their international debut.

Nigeria’s Unity Cup semifinal win match report

Jordan 2-2 Nigeria, 31 March 2026

Ten-man Super Eagles settled for a draw after outclassing their Middle Eastern foes for much of the contest.

Match report: How Super Eagles failed to beat Jordan

Iran 1-2 Nigeria, 27 March 2026

Nigeria’s first match since claiming bronze medal at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations ended in a win for Eric Chelle’s men.

Match report: Nigeria’s first win after AFCON 2025

Super Eagles’ next match vs Russia: FAQs

The Nigeria Super Eagles are scheduled to face the Russia national team in a highly anticipated international friendly match. Here is the verified, up-to-date information responding to your FAQs: