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Given the noise and sanctions on Russia right now, many fear that the Super Eagles could be at risk of a FIFA ban if they go ahead with the scheduled friendly between both countries in June. But are they really at risk?
So here is a bit of background to this story to keep everyone reading this up to speed.
The Russian Football Federation announced that Russia are set to face the Super Eagles in an international friendly in June.
Nigeria is one of the countries that Russia are planning to play against during the March and June window, with Zambia and Belarus being the other two countries.
However, the burning question in the hearts of many football faithfuls in Nigeria is if the country is taking a huge risk of a potential suspension by agreeing to play against a country currently hit with sanctions across several sectors.
And with FIFA dishing out bans in recent weeks to a couple of countries, this is a valid fear that needs to be addressed.
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Will Nigeria be suspended by FIFA for playing Russia?
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No, Nigeria are not at risk of suspension from the football governing bodies if they play against Russia in an international friendly.
The upcoming friendly between Nigeria and Russia was approved and will proceed without any sanctions.
The reason for this is because FIFA lifted its blanket ban on Russian teams competing in international tournaments back in October 2024.
The governing body announced that Russian youth teams would be allowed to participate in the men’s and women’s under-17 World Cup tournaments, reversing the suspension imposed in February 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
UEFA has earlier permitted Russian youth teams to participate in continental competitions—a move that earned them criticism from a lot of countries, while certain nations refused to play against Russian teams.
The friendly between Nigeria and Russia in June is expected to generate significant attention and backlash from different quarters given the geopolitical context and ongoing wars.
Nigeria make a return to Russian soil after over half a decade
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The upcoming match marks Nigeria’s first friendly in Russia since their memorable 4-2 victory over Argentina in Krasnodar back in 2017.
The Super Eagles are set to return to Russia for the first time since the 2018 FIFA World Cup as they prepare to face the Russian national team in a friendly match during the international window in June.
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