Malta will resume its 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifying campaign next month with two crucial Group G encounters. The national team will host Lithuania on Saturday, June 7 at the National Stadium (18:00), before facing a tough away challenge against the Netherlands on June 10 at the Euroborg Stadion in Groningen (20:45).
Head coach Emilio De Leo has named a 35-man provisional squad as he prepares for his second international window at the helm. Notable new inclusions are Joshua Pitts of Ipswich Town and Elliott Gunner, two promising talents who previously featured for Malta at U18 and U17 level respectively and now steps up to the senior squad. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Matthias Debono (Naxxar Lions) and midfielder Neil Micallef (Birkirkara) return to the squad, having been called up in previous windows but still awaiting their debut under De Leo.
There’s good news for the national side as Jodi Jones, Jurgen Degabriele, and Kemar Reid all return from injury after missing the last round of fixtures. However, Ilyas Chouaref will sit out both matches as he serves a two-game suspension.
Kurt Shaw and Gabriel Mentz who have been named in the initial squad selection, are suspended for the Lithuania qualifier but will be available for the away game against the Netherlands.
Players whose clubs have been eliminated from the Meridianbet FA Trophy will begin training with the national team on May 19. Those still involved in the competition—set to feature in the semifinal and final—will join the squad on May 26, following the conclusion of their domestic commitments. Meanwhile, the foreign-based players are expected to arrive during the first week of June, coinciding with the announcement of the final squad list for the qualifiers.
Fans can purchase their tickets online from tickets.mfa.com.mt or directly from the stadium’s ticket booths on matchday.
The 37-man squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers
Rashed Al Tumi (FC Sheriff Tiraspol – MDA), Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans FC), James Sissons (Melita FC), Matthias Debono (Naxxar Lions FC).
Defenders
Zach Muscat (Sanliurfaspor – TUR), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana FC), Juan Carlos Corbalan (Marsaxlokk FC), James Lee Carragher (Wigan Athletic FC – ENG), Steve Borg (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Kurt Shaw (Hibernians FC), Enrico Pepe (Gżira United FC), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers FC), Neil Micallef (Birkirkara FC), Gabriel Mentz (Gżira United FC), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers FC).
Midfielders
Matthew Guillaumier (FKS Stal Mielec Spolka Akcyjna – POL), Brandon Diego Paiber (Valletta FC), Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians FC), Alexander Satariano (Birkirkara FC), Jake Azzopardi (Valletta FC), Dunstan Vella (Floriana FC), Teddy Teuma (Stade de Reims FC – FRA), Jake Grech (Floriana FC), Steven Pisani (Sliema Wanderers FC).
Forwards
Joseph E. Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers FC), Jodi Jones (Notts County FC – ENG), Paul Mbong (Birkirkara FC), Jurgen Degabriele (Hibernians FC), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Reading – ENG), Kemar Reid (Birkirkara FC), Kyrian Nwoko (Sliema Wanderers FC), Joshua Pitts (Ipswich Town – ENG), Gunner Elliott (Chesterfield FC – ENG)