Gambia line up Iran friendly in Turkey

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) have announced the senior national team, the Scorpions, will play a friendly international match against Iran on May 29, 2026, in Antalya, Turkey.

Iran is currently ranked 21st in the FIFA World Rankings and has qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This fixture represents one of the highest-profile non-African opponents The Gambia has faced in its history.

 

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The GFF further announced they are in an advanced stage of negotiations to play two more friendly international matches with Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau.

Gambia failed to qualify for World Cup

These matches are scheduled to take place in the Gambia in June, marking their long-awaited return to the Independence Stadium after a significant period.

Gambia failed to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Despite a strong attacking performance and a record 7-0 win over Seychelles in Group F, they failed to secure the top spot, missing out on qualification. Ivory Coast won Group F, with Gabon taking second place.

During the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFC0N), Gambia reached the second round of the competition for the first time.