National Teams Head Coach Emilio de Leo has announced a 30-man squad for the upcoming October international window, which includes a 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifier against the Netherlands and a home friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Malta will first face the Netherlands, who are level with Poland on 10 points at the top of Group G with a game in hand, on Thursday, 9th October at 20:45. This will be followed by the friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday, 12th October at 19:00 with both fixtures taking place at the National Stadium.
De Leo welcomes the return of two key players, Stade de Reims midfielder Teddy Teuma, who is back in the squad after recovering from injury, and Ħamrun Spartans wing-back Ryan Camenzuli, who missed the September matches.
Gżira United midfielder Andrew Borg is also included in the squad. While he has been called up in the past, this marks his first selection under De Leo, following a strong run of form in domestic competitions.
Malta will be without Paul Mbong, who plays for Serbian club FK Čukarički, and Chaves FC defender Zach Muscat for the home qualifier against the Netherlands due to suspension. They will be back in the fray for the friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Wigan Athletic defender James Carragher is still recovering from surgery.
Veteran defender Steve Borg, of Valletta, makes a return to the squad but will only be available for the Bosnia and Herzegovina friendly. That match will serve as his final appearance for the national team, marking the end of a distinguished international career in what is seen as his testimonial match.
The Malta squad will begin preparations in the coming days as they look to build on recent performances and continue developing under De Leo’s tenure, having collected a point in a 1-1 draw away to Lithuania in the last World Cup Group G qualifier before registering a 3-1 victory over San Marino in a friendly match during the September international window.
The squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers
Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Rashed Al Tumi (Sliema Wanderers FC), James Sissons (Chesterfield FC – ENG).
Defenders
Zach Muscat* (Chaves FC – POR), Juan Carlos Corbalan (Marsaxlokk FC), Kurt Shaw (Sorrento FC – ITA), Enrico Pepe (Marsaxlokk FC), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers FC), Steve Borg** (Valletta FC), Gabriel Mentz (Gżira United FC), Kean Scicluna (Zabbar St Patrick FC), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers FC), Neil Micallef (Birkirkara FC).
Midfielders
Matthew Guillaumier (Panserraikos FC – GRE), Brandon Diego Paiber (Valletta FC), Alexander Satariano (Athens Kallithea FC – GRE), Steve Pisani (Sliema Wanderers FC), Yannick Yankam (Valletta FC), Teddy Teuma (Stade de Reims FC – FRA), Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers FC), Andrew Borg (Gżira United FC)
Forwards
Joseph E. Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Jodi Jones (Notts County FC – ENG), Paul Mbong* (FK Čukarički – SRB), Ilyas Chouaref (Sion FC – SUI), Irvin Cardona (AS Saint-Étienne – FRA), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Reading FC – ENG), Keyon Ewurum (Valletta FC), Kemar Reid (Birkirkara FC).
*suspended for the match against the Netherlands
** is only available for the friendly match against Bosnia and Herzergovina
Source: MFA
Photo: MFA
