Football: May friendlies confirmed for Island national sides

Men's and women's teams to compete at The Bowl against off-Island opposition

The Isle of Man's national men's and women's football teams will return to action in just over a month's time.

Both squads will take part in friendlies against off-Island opposition in May with both matches to be held at The Bowl stadium in Douglas.

The men's side will face Halewood Apollo on Saturday, 2 May before the ladies face FC Manchester exactly two weeks later on Saturday, 14 May.

Kick-off times for both fixtures are yet to be confirmed.

It's expected that the squads for both Manx sides will be announced later this week.

The last time both national teams took to the pitch was at the 2025 International Island Games in Orkney last July.

The Isle of Man women's squad claimed the silver medal following a narrow defeat to Bermuda on penalties in the final whilst the men's team secured bronze by beating Jersey in the third place play-offs.

Separately, the Isle of Man women's side is due to contest this year's Cherry Godfrey Cup at Victoria Park in Guernsey on 26-27 June.

The Isle of Man goes into that tournament as defending champions having won the inaugural event in Jersey in 2024.