Gambia set for historic Iran friendly, line up two more games to mark Independence Stadium return

The Gambia Football Federation (GFF) has announced a landmark international friendly against Asian giants Iran, with the Scorpions set to face the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers on May 29, 2026, in Antalya, Turkey.

The high-profile encounter is expected to provide a major test for The Gambia national football team as they continue preparations for upcoming international competitions and the next phase of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Iran, currently ranked 21st in the FIFA World Rankings, are among Asia’s football powerhouses and have already secured qualification to the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The fixture therefore stands as one of the most prestigious non-African matches ever arranged for the Scorpions, underlining the GFF’s ambition to expose the national team to elite international opposition.

The match in Turkey is also expected to offer Gambian players a valuable opportunity to test themselves against world-class talent and gain experience against a side known for its tactical discipline, physical strength and consistency on the global stage.

Beyond the Iran showdown, the Gambian FA confirmed that negotiations are at an advanced stage for two additional international friendlies against Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau.

Those fixtures are expected to take place in June in The Gambia and would mark the highly anticipated return of the Scorpions to the Independence Stadium after a lengthy absence.

The stadium’s return to hosting international football has been eagerly awaited by Gambian supporters, who have been unable to watch the national team play competitive home matches locally for an extended period due to venue restrictions and renovation works.

A return to home soil is expected to generate excitement across the country, with fans likely to turn out in large numbers to support the Scorpions as they reconnect with their passionate home crowd.

The federation added that full details regarding the proposed June friendlies, including match dates, kick-off times and ticket arrangements, will be communicated once discussions are finalized.

The announcement signals an ambitious period for Gambian football, with the federation focused on strengthening the national team through quality international exposure while also restoring top-level football to the country.