Still winless since January, Mali take on Iran in an international friendly this Thursday, June 4 (kick-off 6:30 PM CEST) on neutral ground in Antalya, Turkey — a real-life test for a side hunting for answers against an unpredictable Iranian outfit.
This is a fixture the Eagles can no longer afford to waste. At the Antalya Training Camp, Mali arrive against Iran with a threadbare 2026 record: according to data compiled by specialist outlets such as Tips.GG and FotMob, the Malian side have yet to win any of their three games this year, losing to Senegal (0-1) before drawing with Tunisia (1-1) and Russia (0-0). Without the injured Dorgeles Nene and Sikou Niakaté — both ruled out per FotMob — Mali will have to tighten things around their familiar defensive block if they want to turn the corner.
On the other side, Amir Ghalenoei’s Iran arrive showing two faces. Capable of the very best — a comfortable 5-0 win over Costa Rica, a controlled 3-1 against Gambia — the Team Melli still suffer from blank spells, as seen in their goalless draws against Uzbekistan and Cape Verde. The bookmakers have made up their minds: Iran go in as slight favourites (priced around 2.35 against 3.35 for Mali). Broadcast in Mali on ORTM, the match above all hands the Eagles a golden chance to rebuild confidence ahead of the upcoming continental fixtures. Kick-off at 6:30 PM.