Singapore’s men’s national football team will return to international action in March with a rare European test, as the Lions prepare to face the Faroe Islands national football team in a friendly match before closing their AFC Asian Cup qualifying campaign at home against the Bangladesh national football team.
The March fixtures mark Singapore’s first senior international match against European opposition since 2012 — a milestone highlighted by local football commentator @ashfutbolita, who said in a TikTok video, “Singapore are set to face European opposition for the very first time since 2012.”
First European Opposition Since 2012
Singapore will take on the Faroe Islands on 26 March at Shabab Al Ahli Stadium in Dubai, with kick-off set for 9pm Singapore time. The match will be played during the March FIFA international window, following a centralised training camp that begins on 18 March.
Foreign-based players are expected to link up with the squad in Dubai once the window opens on 23 March, as head coach Gavin Lee oversees preparations.
@ashfutbolita described the upcoming international break as a major moment for local football, saying, “The upcoming March FIFA window will be massive for Singapore football.”
Measuring Up Against Faroe Islands
Currently ranked 125th in the world — 22 places above Singapore — the Faroe Islands are regarded as one of Europe’s more resilient sides despite their small population.
According to @ashfutbolita, the UEFA side are “known for their discipline as well as their physical style and for consistently punching above the weight in Europe.”
Singapore’s coaching staff view the match as a valuable benchmark, particularly given the Faroe Islands’ recent performances in World Cup qualifying, where they competed closely against higher-ranked European nations. The friendly is seen internally as a chance to expose the Lions to higher tempo, physicality and tactical discipline rarely encountered outside Asia.
Homecoming at the National Stadium
Following the Dubai fixture, the Lions will return to Singapore to face Bangladesh on 31 March at the National Stadium in Kallang, in what will be the final match of their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 qualifying campaign.
With qualification already secured after their November 2025 victory over Hong Kong, China, the Bangladesh match is expected to serve as a celebratory homecoming, allowing supporters to mark the end of a successful qualifying run on home soil.
@ashfutbolita urged fans to turn out in support, noting, “This is a fantastic opportunity for you guys to come and support the Lions for a chance to finish strong in front of a home crowd.”
Asian Cup Preparation in Focus
Looking ahead, the March window offers Singapore a contrasting test — a physically demanding European opponent abroad followed by a home fixture — providing valuable preparation for the Asian Cup next year.
@ashfutbolita said he was keen to see how the Lions respond, explaining, “It’s a good test in terms of intensity, discipline and more importantly, pace ahead of the all-important Asian Cup next year.”
Watch @ashfutbolita’s video here:
@ashfutbolita March international window 🇸🇬⚽ Singapore face European opposition for the first time since 2012 vs Faroe Islands, before returning home to take on Bangladesh in the final Asian Cup qualifier 🦁🔥 #sgsports #sgfootball #sgnews #faroeislands
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