Bangladesh will face San Marino in a friendly on 5 June, the Bangladesh Football Federation confirmed on Tuesday, marking the first time the national side will play against a European team and the first time they will compete on European soil.
The match will be played in San Marino during the FIFA international window in June. The BFF described the fixture as historic and a significant milestone for both nations, noting that it will also be the first time San Marino have ever faced an Asian national team.
“This will be Bangladesh’s first match against a European national team and the first match played by the team in Europe,” the BFF said in a statement. “Equally, this match will be a historic moment for San Marino, as they will face an Asian national team for the first time in their history. Beyond its sporting significance, this match reflects a joint commitment to strengthening international cooperation and promoting goodwill between the two football federations.”
Despite the European tag, San Marino are ranked well below Bangladesh in the FIFA standings. Bangladesh currently sit 181st in the world, while San Marino are placed 211th, making them one of the lowest-ranked sides on the continent.
One significant question remains unanswered ahead of the fixture: who will be in the dugout. Current head coach Javier Cabrera’s contract expires this month, and the BFF has already begun searching for his replacement following a disappointing Asian Cup qualifying campaign in which Bangladesh managed just one win and two draws from six matches, finishing third in their group with five points.
San Marino’s recent record offers little more encouragement. In UEFA’s qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup, they lost all eight of their matches and finished bottom of their group.
