By: Madi Senghore
The Gambia national football team, the Scorpions, will face Iran in an international friendly match scheduled for 29 May 2026 in Antalya, Turkey, the Gambia Football Federation (GFF) announced.
The fixture will be the third friendly match for head coach Johnathan McKinstry since taking charge of the team. It is expected to serve as part of the squad’s preparations for upcoming international competitions and qualification campaigns.
The match against Iran, one of Asia’s leading football nations, is expected to provide a strong test for The Gambia as the team continues its development and tactical refinement under the current technical leadership.
Meanwhile, the GFF has confirmed that talks are ongoing with Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau for two additional friendly matches scheduled for June. The proposed fixtures are expected to be hosted in Banjul and could mark the return of international football to the Independence Stadium for the first time since 2021.
The potential return of home fixtures has generated excitement among fans and stakeholders, with expectations that it will boost local football development and allow supporters to once again watch the national team on home soil.