Malta has discovered its potential opponents for the fifth edition of the UEFA Nations League following today’s draw in Brussels.
Malta’s final league status will be confirmed after the upcoming League C/D Play-Off against Luxembourg in March. Victory over Luxembourg would see Malta compete in League C, while defeat would mean participation in League D.
If Malta Secures League C Status
Should Malta overcome Luxembourg, the national team will compete in League C – Group 4, where it will face:
- Iceland
- Bulgaria
- Estonia
If Malta Competes in League D
In the event Malta does not progress from the play-off, the team will feature in League D – Group 1, facing:
- Gibraltar/Latvia
- Andorra
A Group Full of Challenge and Opportunity
The draw has presented Malta with competitive opposition featuring sides with varying styles and strengths. Iceland are known for their tactical discipline, resilience, and for making history in 2016 through their qualification for the UEFA European Championships, while Bulgaria bring exceptional quality through a mixture of young and experience players. In League C, Estonia would add further depth to what promises to be a demanding campaign.
Despite the challenge ahead, the group also offers Malta an opportunity to continue building momentum and demonstrate the progress made in recent years on the international stage.
Focus First on the Play-Off
Before attention turns fully to the league phase, Malta must first overcome Luxembourg in the decisive play-off tie.
The fixtures are scheduled as follows:
- 26 March 2026 – Malta vs Luxembourg (Home)
- 31 March 2026 – Luxembourg vs Malta (Away)
These two matches will determine whether Malta competes in League C or League D in the upcoming campaign.
Coach Reaction
Malta National Team Coach Emilio De Leo reacted to the draw:
“I am neutral about the teams we have drawn. Our full focus right now is on the play-off in March — that is our only objective. We will analyse the group properly once we know our fate.”
On the importance of the upcoming play-off, he added:
“Luxembourg is our priority. All our preparation is centred on these two matches. We believe in this squad and we are fully concentrated on achieving our goal.”
The UEFA Nations League continues to provide Malta with a valuable competitive platform against similarly ranked European nations. With the draw now confirmed, preparations will intensify as Malta aims to approach both the March play-off and the league campaign with ambition and confidence.
Further details regarding match dates and ticket information will be announced in due course.
Source: MFA
Photo: MFA
