{"id":51998,"date":"2025-10-07T05:57:20","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T04:57:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/?p=51998"},"modified":"2025-10-07T05:57:20","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T04:57:20","slug":"malta-gears-up-for-world-cup-qualifier-against-the-netherlands-as-de-leo-confirms-squad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/livenewsmalta.com\/index.php\/2025\/10\/07\/malta-gears-up-for-world-cup-qualifier-against-the-netherlands-as-de-leo-confirms-squad\/","title":{"rendered":"Malta gears up for World Cup qualifier against the Netherlands as De Leo confirms squad"},"content":{"rendered":"
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National Teams Head Coach Emilio De Leo has finalised the 28-man Malta squad for the upcoming October international window, featuring a 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifier against Group G leaders the Netherlands and a home friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.<\/p>\n

Malta will first face the Netherlands on Thursday, 9th October at 20:45 at the National Stadium, Ta\u2019 Qali. Three days later, Malta will return to the same venue to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina \ud83c\udde7\ud83c\udde6 in a friendly fixture on Sunday, 12th October at 19:00.<\/p>\n

Paul Mbong (FK \u010cukari\u010dki) and Zach Muscat (Chaves FC) are both suspended for the Netherlands qualifier. Both players, however, will be available for selection for the friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.<\/p>\n

The squad also sees the return of veteran defender Steve Borg (Valletta FC), who will make his final appearance for the national team in the Bosnia and Herzegovina friendly. That match will serve as a testimonial fixture for Borg, marking the end of a distinguished international career that has spanned more than a decade in red.<\/p>\n

The squad is as follows:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Goalkeepers<\/strong>
\nHenry Bonello (\u0126amrun Spartans FC), Rashed Al Tumi (Sliema Wanderers FC), James Sissons (Chesterfield FC – ENG).<\/p>\n

Defenders<\/strong>
\nZach Muscat* (Chaves FC – POR), Juan Carlos Corbalan (Marsaxlokk FC), Kurt Shaw (Sorrento FC \u2013 ITA), Enrico Pepe (Marsaxlokk FC), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers FC), Steve Borg** (Valletta FC), Gabriel Mentz (G\u017cira United FC), Kean Scicluna (Zabbar St Patrick FC), Ryan Camenzuli (\u0126amrun Spartans FC), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers FC).<\/p>\n

Midfielders\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Matthew Guillaumier (Panserraikos FC – GRE), Brandon Diego Paiber (Valletta FC), Alexander Satariano (Athens Kallithea FC – GRE), Yannick Yankam (Valletta FC), Teddy Teuma (Stade de Reims FC \u2013 FRA), Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers FC), Andrew Borg (G\u017cira United FC).<\/p>\n

Forwards\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>
\nJoseph E. Mbong (\u0126amrun Spartans FC), Jodi Jones (Notts County FC \u2013 ENG), Paul Mbong* (FK \u010cukari\u010dki \u2013 SRB), Ilyas Chouaref (Sion FC \u2013 SUI), Irvin Cardona (AS Saint-\u00c9tienne \u2013 FRA), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Reading FC \u2013 ENG), Keyon Ewurum (Valletta FC), Kemar Reid (Birkirkara FC).<\/p>\n

*suspended for the match against the Netherlands<\/p>\n

** is only available for the friendly match against Bosnia and Herzergovina<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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National Teams Head Coach Emilio De Leo has finalised the 28-man Malta squad for the upcoming October international window, featuring a 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifier against Group G leaders the Netherlands and a home friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina. Malta will first face the Netherlands on Thursday, 9th October at 20:45 at the […]<\/p>\n

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