Bangladesh to play 211-ranked San Marino in historic first

The Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) on Tuesday announced a landmark FIFA Tier-1 international friendly between Bangladesh and San Marino, scheduled to take place on June 5, 2026 in San Marino.

The fixture will mark a historic first for Bangladesh football, as it will be the team’s maiden international match against a European opponent and their first-ever match played on European soil, according to a press release from the BFF. For San Marino, the encounter will also be unique, as they are set to face an Asian national side for the first time in their history.

According to the latest FIFA rankings, Bangladesh are currently placed around 181st in the world, while San Marino sit at the bottom of the rankings, at 211th. Despite their low ranking, San Marino have shown signs of improvement in recent years, particularly in competitive fixtures within UEFA competitions, including a historic 1-0 win over Liechtenstein in the UEFA Nations League-- only their second competitive victory in history. 

Further details regarding the venue, kickoff time, and broadcast arrangements are expected to be announced in due course, said the BFF press release.