Kamlesh Mishra opines that “greatness can come from small beginnings.”

This rings true, especially when you look at the Malta football team.

Many might see Malta as a mere island. But when you look closer, you’d notice that its football culture is one of the loudest. While it isn’t defined by trophies like most, it’s characterized by grit and pride that has left a lasting impression on fans at home and abroad.

Football has been in Malta for over a century. This sport has grown from being a favorite pastime. Now, it’s a tool that connects communities and gives the small island bragging rights on the international stage.

While Malta might not have a dominant football team, there have been instances where they’ve battled against big teams and left everything on the playing field. In this guide, we’ll take you through the foundation of the Malta national football team and matches that made the Maltese population proud.

Football in Malta: A Peek Into History

The Malta Football Federation, which is also called the MFA, was established back in 1900. This means that the MFA had commenced operations long before (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) FIFA came about. What’s more? Only 10 nations have footballing associations older than that of Malta. Now, that’s quite the feat for a small island.

Malta joined the ranks of FIFA and the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) in 1960. Since that time, the nation has participated in the qualifying rounds of every European championship and FIFA World Cup (the first coming in 1974).

5 of the Most Revered Matches in Malta’s Footballing History

Malta has played many matches since it created a football team. However, there are a few match-ups that Maltese residents look upon with pride and joy on their faces. Notable mentions include:

1. 1957: Malta vs Austria (2:3)

Malta vs Austria wasn’t just any match. It represented the first time that Malta football national team players matched onto a pitch to play competitive football. 

While Austria emerged triumphant, this match didn’t disappoint when it came to excitement. At half time, Austria led by three goals. The second half started with Malta firing from all cylinders, hoping to bridge the score gap.

Although they didn’t get the comeback they sought, they scored two goals. Tony Cauchi scored the first goal for the country. It was followed by another goal in the 89th minute from Sammy Nicholi. And even if Austria won by a solitary goal, many Maltese fans were overjoyed by the national team’s first outing.

2. 1958: Malta vs Denmark XI (3:0)

This game marked Malta’s first win in international football. Coming up against a valiant Denmark XI, the nation was able to register three goals without conceding.

Pullu Demanuele scored very early in the match, at just 11 minutes. This was followed by another from Salvinu Schembri that came just 12 minutes later. Pullu wrapped up proceedings with another goal in the 49th minute. This match cemented Malta’s place as a football team that was worth taking a look at.

3. 1970: Malta vs Greece (1:1)

The Greece national football team was (and still is) one of the toughest in international football. Malta shared the stage with them back in 1970 at a qualifier for the European championships. However, the team surprised pundits and fans alike by holding Greece to a draw.

Malta scored first, with Willie Vassallo finding the net in the 66th minute of the game. However, they couldn’t see the game out. In the 80th minute, Greece equalized, breaking the hearts of the Maltese population.

4. 1975: Malta vs Greece (2:0)

Frank Sinatra asserts that “the best revenge is massive success.”

After the draw against Greece five years back, Malta were determined to see the game through this time around.

This was another European championship qualifying match. The team won by two goals, with Richard Aquilina and Vincent Magro finding the back of the net in the first and second half, respectively.

5. 2020: Malta vs Latvia (1:0)

This represented Malta’s first away win since June 2013. Both sides were deadlocked for the better part of 96 minutes. However, in the 97th minute, defender Steve Borg, scored a header that sent the Maltese bench to raptures.

Where Does Malta Fall in the FIFA Standings?

So, where’s the Malta national football team in the standings of FIFA? On the updated FIFA ranking for 2025, the nation currently places as 169th in the men’s football rankings. The highest they’ve ever ranked was 66th, and that was in the 1994 and 1995 football calendar years. 

The team has fallen from its highs evident several decades ago. The football climate has become competitive, and they haven’t leveled up. Little wonder they lose most of the Malta football national team games in international qualifiers and competitions. 

European Football Betting Tips: How to Bet Successfully

Confucius opined that “success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure.” 

Football is undoubtedly the most popular sport in the continent of Europe, with European football matches attracting millions of viewers. With the UEFA Euro and World Cup qualifiers, as well as the arrival of the UEFA Nations League, even modest national football teams like Malta and Hungary attract a lot of fans’ attention. This attention also translates to betting.

If you intend to join the European punters betting on international football matches, we recommend following these tips:

Conduct In-depth Research

Don’t just place bets because you feel like doing so. If you’d like to edge closer to winnings, conduct research on team lineups, suspension, injuries, and weather conditions. When you understand the form of competing teams, you’ll make informed bets that can set you up for winnings.

Don’t Go Above Your Budget

When you want to start betting, set a budget you can afford to lose. Once you hit this threshold, stop playing. It doesn’t matter whether or not you are winning. By doing this, you can control your wagering habits and avoid rinsing your balance within a relatively short period.

Select a Reliable Sports Betting Site

The betting site you place bets at can determine if your wagering adventure is fun or not. For instance, if you are from Hungary, before selecting a platform, make sure it has competitive odds on international football matches, generous bonuses, and an easy-to-use layout. Also check license, banking methods, and security.

If you’re finding it hard to do a manual search, head to MightyTips.bet, a reliable betting review site and resource for context on the best betting sites in Hungary.

Final Thoughts

Malta might not be the biggest nation geographically, but they’ve got a strong football presence. And in this guide, we’ve taken you through how their footballing team came about and five matches where they dazzled. While they’re far from being the best versions of themselves currently, they’ve made footballing history regardless.

Do you intend placing bets on international football competitions featuring the country and other national teams? Remember to follow the tips we’ve highlighted to a “T.”