Gambia set for high-profile friendly against World Cup-bound Iran

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has announced that the country’s senior national team, the Scorpions, will face Iran national football team in an international friendly on 29 May in Antalya, Turkey.

Iran, currently ranked 21st in the FIFA rankings, have already secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, making the fixture one of the most high-profile non-African matches in Gambian football history.

The GFF also disclosed that it is in advanced talks to arrange two additional friendly matches against Sierra Leone national football team and Guinea-Bissau national football team.

The proposed matches are expected to take place in The Gambia in June and would mark the Scorpions’ long-awaited return to the Independence Stadium after a lengthy absence.

According to the federation, further details, including match dates, kick-off times and ticket arrangements, will be announced once discussions are concluded and the fixtures confirmed.