The Russian Football Union (RFU) has announced that the men’s national team will play an international friendly against Nigeria’s Super Eagles on June 6.
In a statement on its official website on Thursday, February 13, the RFU confirmed that the match will take place in Russia, though the exact time and venue are yet to be decided.
Russia is also set to play two other friendlies, facing Zambia in March and Belarus on June 10. The RFU stated that agreements were reached with the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and the other national football bodies to arrange the matches.
Since 2022, Russia has been banned from FIFA and UEFA competitions due to its invasion of Ukraine, suspending all Russian national teams and clubs from international tournaments. However, in 2023, FIFA eased restrictions, allowing Russian U-17 teams to compete under the neutral banner of the “Football Union of Russia” without the country’s flag, anthem, or official kit.
Despite the ban, Russia’s senior national team has continued to play friendlies against non-Western countries. The NFF has yet to release an official statement on the fixture. If the match proceeds, it will be the first-ever senior-level encounter between Nigeria and Russia.
