Russian ambassador floats idea of Ethiopia friendly

The Russian ambassador to Ethiopia, Evgeny Terekhin, says the idea of a friendly football match with Ethiopia deserves attention. The ambassador cited sports diplomacy and mutual benefit if the match happens in the near future.

🇷🇺💬 Russia’s Ambassador to Ethiopia Evgeny Terekhin’s interview with the TASS news agency (February 10, 2026)

👉🏻 Read in full: https://t.co/XaJ1oq63O5#RussiaEthiopia pic.twitter.com/UyWQ6YnHVX

— Russian Embassy in Ethiopia (@RusEmbEthiopia) February 11, 2026

Terekhin told TASS that both nations are holding discussions in the field of sports and that a friendly game between Ethiopia and Russia should be taken seriously.

“For Ethiopia, a match against such a strong opponent as Russia is an opportunity to test its strength and improve its qualifications (the team is currently ranked 146th in the FIFA rankings). For us, this is an important step in expanding our sporting ties in the context of international isolation.”

Pan-Africa Football understands that no formal communication between the Ethiopian Football Federation and the Russian Football Union has been made regarding a friendly game thus far. Russia has been banned from world football by FIFA and UEFA due to the Russo-Ukrainian War and continues to schedule friendly games to stay active.

Five African nations have played against them since the ban came into effect. Ethiopia recently failed to secure friendly games, but since 2023 they have managed to play against Guyana and MLS side D.C. United. A proposed friendly game against Malaysia in June last year failed to materialize for the Waliyas.

Ethiopia will play São Tomé and Príncipe in the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations preliminary round in March. It is not known whether the Russian Embassy in Addis Ababa would facilitate a friendly game between the two nations.

Recent Russian national team friendly games against African teams

• 2025 Russia 1-1 Nigeria
• 2025 Russia 5-0 Zambia
• 2023 Russia 2-2 Kenya
• 2023 Russia 1-0 Cameroon
• 2023 Russia 1-2 Egypt U23
• 2023 Russia 1-1 Egypt U23