Malta national football team

The Malta men's national football team (Maltese: Tim nazzjonali tal-futbol ta' Malta) represents Malta in international football and is controlled by the Malta Football Association, the governing body for football in Malta.

Malta
Shirt badge/Association crest
Nickname(s)Ħomor (Reds)
AssociationMalta Football Association
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachMichele Marcolini
CaptainSteve Borg
Most capsMichael Mifsud (143)
Top scorerMichael Mifsud (42)
Home stadiumTa' Qali Stadium
FIFA codeMLT
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 171 Increase 1 (4 April 2024)[1]
Highest66 (September 1994, September 1995)
Lowest192 (July 2017, September 2017)
First international
 Malta 2–3 Austria 
(Gżira, Malta; 24 February 1957)
Biggest win
 Malta 7–1 Liechtenstein 
(Ta' Qali, Malta; 26 March 2008)
Biggest defeat
 Spain 12–1 Malta 
(Seville, Spain; 21 December 1983)
Websitemfa.mt

The first official game played by Malta was a 3–2 defeat in a friendly against Austria in 1957.[3] Their competitive debut arrived five years later, playing against Denmark in the preliminary round of the 1964 European Nations' Cup.[4] Since becoming a UEFA member in 1960 and a FIFA member in 1959,[5] Malta have competed in every qualifier for the European Championship and World Cup, but have never made it to the finals of any major international competition.

History

Malta played its first international game on 24 February 1957 at the Empire Stadium, losing 2–3 to Austria. That match was played in front of a capacity crowd at the old Empire Stadium. The Malta Football Association joined FIFA in 1959 and UEFA a year later. However, in late 1959, Malta played in the 1960 Summer Olympics African Qualifiers against Morocco and Tunisia, in which they finished last in the group with two draws and two losses. Since then, Malta has largely maintained the status as one of Europe's weakest teams, though its fortunes have increased since late 2010s.

The Maltese international side first competed in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA European Nations Cup in 1962, and in FIFA World Cup qualification in 1971.[6] Malta's first competitive draw ended 1–1 against Greece in 1970. Malta's first two competitive wins were victories of 2–0 and 2–1 at home to Greece and Iceland in European Championship qualifiers in 1975 and 1982 respectively. In 1979, Malta drew 0–0 with West Germany in a European championship qualifier and they met again on 16 December 1984 for a memorable World Cup Qualifier in front of a record attendance at the Ta'Qali stadium, where the 1982 & eventual 1986 World Cup runners-up only managed a 2–3 win. Another prestigious result was achieved in March 1987 when Malta drew 2–2 in Portugal, in a qualifier for Euro'88 and the side also twice drew against Hungary during the qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, and recorded four friendly wins during 1991 and 1992.[4]

Malta's third competitive win came with a 1–0 victory away to Estonia in a 1993 World Cup qualifier in which Kris Laferla scored.[7]In October 1994 Malta held Czech Republic 0–0 in a qualifier for the UEFA Euro 1996, in which the latter ended runners-up. Six years later, in October 2000, in a group qualifying match for the 2002 World Cup, once again Malta managed another 0–0 draw vs Czech Republic which eventually cost the latter a place at the following major tournament. In June 2000, Malta played England, then managed by Kevin Keegan. Trailing 2–1 going into the final minutes, Malta were awarded a penalty, however David Carabott's effort was saved by Richard Wright.[8] Through November 2001 and May 2002, Malta played and remained undefeated in 6 international matches and in between they won the locally hosted (Rothmans) International Tournament. During 2005, Malta drew 1–1 against Croatia and Bulgaria. Another positive result was the 1–1 home draw in a friendly match against Northern Ireland, though George Mallia missed an injury time penalty which would have given them a win.[9] On 11 October 2006, Malta managed another competitive victory, a 2–1 triumph over Hungary in the European Championship qualifying with André Schembri scoring twice.[7]

On 7 February 2007, Malta drew 1–1 with one of the hosts of Euro 2008, Austria. The game was played to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first international match played by the Maltese national team.[10] On 8 September 2007, Malta managed another draw against Turkey in a Euro 2008 qualifying match, the game finishing 2–2.[11] On 26 March 2008, Malta achieved its largest ever victory, a 7–1 defeat of Liechtenstein in a friendly at the Ta' Qali Stadium, with Michael Mifsud scoring five goals.[12] A 2–0 friendly win over Georgia followed in 2009.[13]

In May 2010, sponsorship of the Maltese national side was taken on by sportswear firm Givova, who also designed a range of new kits for the team.[14] One month later, however, the side had fallen to their lowest ever FIFA world ranking position, of 169th in the world.[13] In 2009, Malta had a 0–0 draw with Albania at home. This was their only point for the 2010 World Cup qualifying. On 11 August 2010, Malta drew 1–1 at home against FYR Macedonia in a friendly game, with Michael Mifsud scoring a brilliant diving header for Malta.[15]

In February 2011, the national football team of Malta achieved a 0–0 draw against Switzerland, in which goalkeeper Justin Haber saved two penalties.[13] On 6 September 2011, Malta won their first Euro 2012 qualifying point, with a 1–1 draw against Georgia. During the years of 2010 and 2011, Malta did not get many positive results, and coach John Buttigieg and assistant coach Carmel Busittil were both sacked in October 2011.[16] For the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, Malta won their first World Cup qualifying match in 20 years, nabbing a 1–0 win over Armenia in June 2013.[17][14] In June 2017, Malta defeated Ukraine 1–0 in a friendly match, thanks to a lone goal by defender Zach Muscat.[18] Malta recorded their 7th all-time competitive win (and their first in the UEFA Nations League) on October 13, 2020, defeating Latvia 1–0 in Riga, scoring the winning goal in the 97th minute.

Kits

Kit providerPeriod
Adidas
1978–1988
Umbro
1988–1990
Lotto
1990–1999
Kronos
1999–2001
Erreà
2001–2005
Diadora
2005–2009
Givova
2009–2022
Erreà
2022–

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

2023

v  Malta
9 June Friendly Luxembourg  0–1  Malta Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
20:15 UTC+02:00Report
  • Nwoko 64'
Stadium: Stade de Luxembourg
Attendance: 4,028
Referee: Eldorjan Hamiti (Albania)
v  England
16 June UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Malta  0–4  England Ta' Qali, Malta
20:45 UTC+01:00ReportStadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 16,277
Referee: Igor Pajac (Croatia)
v  Malta
19 June UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Ukraine  1–0  Malta Trnava, Slovakia
20:45 UTC+01:00ReportStadium: Anton Malatinský Stadium
Attendance: 7,543
Referee: Ruddy Buquet (France)
v  Gibraltar
6 September Friendly Malta  1–0  Gibraltar Ta' Qali, Malta
20:00 UTC+02:00
ReportStadium: National Stadium
v  North Macedonia
12 September UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Malta  0–2  North Macedonia Ta' Qali, Malta
20:45 UTC+02:00Report
Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 3,158
Referee: Henrik Nalbandyan (Armenia)
v  Malta
14 October UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Italy  4–0  Malta Bari, Italy
20:45 UTC+02:00
ReportStadium: Stadio San Nicola
Attendance: 56,186
Referee: Duje Strukan (Croatia)
v  Ukraine
17 October UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying Malta  1–3  Ukraine Ta' Qali, Malta
20:45 UTC+02:00
Report
Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 3,547
Referee: Morten Krogh (Denmark)
v  Malta
17 November UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying England  2–0  Malta London, England
19:45 UTC±00:00
ReportStadium: Wembley Stadium
Attendance: 81,388
Referee: Luis Godinho (Portugal)

2024

v  Slovenia
21 March Friendly Malta  2–2  Slovenia Ta' Qali, Malta
19:00 UTC+1ReportStadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 1,652
Referee: Sandi Putros (Denmark)
v  Belarus
26 March Friendly Malta  0–0  Belarus Ta' Qali, Malta
19:00 UTC+1Stadium: National Stadium

Coaching staff

As of 7 November 2022.[19]
Head coach Michele Marcolini
Assistant coaches Davide Mandelli
Davide Mazzotta
Piero Panzanaro
Goalkeeping coach Mario Capece
Technical coordinator Ivan Woods
Fitness coaches Luca Pagani
Francesco Zanasi
Match analyst Facundo Styk
Team Manager Keith Fenech

Coaching history

As of 7 September 2023.
ManagerMalta careerPlayedWonDrawnLostWin %
Joe A. Griffiths1957–19616222033.3
Carm Borg1961–19649027000.0
János Bédl19662200100.0
Tony Formosa[a]196610118010.0
Joseph Attard19691001000.0
Saviour Cuschieri19701010000.0
Victor Scerri19732101050.0
Terrenzio Polverini1974–19769126011.1
John Calleja1976–197811218018.2
Victor Scerri1978–1983263320011.5
Guentcho Dobrev1984–1987211416004.8
Horst Heese1988–1991363825008.3
Pippo Psaila1991–199317548029.4
Pietro Ghedin1993–1995244515016.7
Robert Gatt19963012000.0
Milorad Kosanović1996–1997150213000.0
Josif Ilić1997–2001415432012.2
Sigfried Held2001–2003214512019.0
Horst Heese[b]2003–2006151212006.7
Dušan Fitzel[b]2006–2009343427008.8
John Buttigieg[b]2009–2011212316009.5
Robert Gatt[c]20121100100.0
Pietro Ghedin2012–2017487635014.6
Tom Saintfiet2017–20183003000.0
Ray Farrugia2018–2019181413005.6
Devis Mangia2019–2022269512034.6
Gilbert Agius[d]20222011000.0
Michele Marcolini2023–6204033.3

Players

Current squad

The following players were called-up for the friendly matches against Slovenia and Belarus on 21 and 26 March 2024, respectively.[20][21]

Note: Teddy Teuma was originally included in the squad, but withdrew due to injury; Jodi Jones was not called-up due to personal matters.[22]

Caps and goals correct as of 26 March 2024, after the match against Belarus.

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11GKHenry Bonello (1988-10-13) 13 October 1988 (age 35)480 Ħamrun Spartans
121GKMatthew Grech (1996-02-19) 19 February 1996 (age 28)10 Żabbar
221GKRashed Al-Tumi (2000-10-14) 14 October 2000 (age 23)10 Sliema Wanderers

22DFCain Attard (1994-09-10) 10 September 1994 (age 29)190 Belenenses
42DFSteve Borg (captain) (1988-01-08) 8 January 1988 (age 36)773 Ħamrun Spartans
52DFKurt Shaw (1999-04-01) 1 April 1999 (age 25)200 Hibernians
132DFEnrico Pepe (1989-11-12) 12 November 1989 (age 34)190 Birkirkara
212DFJean Borg (1998-01-08) 8 January 1998 (age 26)180 Sliema Wanderers
62DFZach Muscat (1993-08-22) 22 August 1993 (age 30)623 Farense
32DFFerdinando Apap (1992-07-29) 29 July 1992 (age 31)151 Hibernians

163MFMatthew Guillaumier (1998-04-09) 9 April 1998 (age 26)303 Stal Mielec
73MFJoseph Mbong (1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 (age 26)512 Ħamrun Spartans
113MFBrandon Paiber (1995-06-05) 5 June 1995 (age 28)90 Valletta
153MFJuan Carlos Corbalan (1997-03-03) 3 March 1997 (age 27)221 Ħamrun Spartans
203MFYannick Yankam (1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 (age 26)71 Lexington
173MFNikolai Muscat (1996-07-13) 13 July 1996 (age 27)80 Marsaxlokk
83MFSteve Pisani (1992-08-07) 7 August 1992 (age 31)401 Santa Lucia
263MFDunstan Vella (1996-04-27) 27 April 1996 (age 28)160 Floriana
233MFMyles Beerman (1999-03-13) 13 March 1999 (age 25)60 Sliema Wanderers
183MFJan Busuttil (1999-03-06) 6 March 1999 (age 25)41 Balzan
253MFCarlo Zammit Lonardelli (2001-04-19) 19 April 2001 (age 23)20 Floriana

104FWPaul Mbong (2001-09-02) 2 September 2001 (age 22)170 Birkirkara
114FWLuke Montebello (1995-08-13) 13 August 1995 (age 28)290 Ħamrun Spartans
144FWKyrian Nwoko (1997-07-04) 4 July 1997 (age 26)274 Floriana
94FWKemar Reid (1994-08-15) 15 August 1994 (age 29)30 Floriana
244FWNevin Portelli (1999-09-16) 16 September 1999 (age 24)20 Marsaxlokk

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within the last 12 months.

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GKJake Galea (1996-04-15) 15 April 1996 (age 28)50 Vallettav.  Gibraltar, 6 September 2023
GKCain Formosa (2000-11-26) 26 November 2000 (age 23)00 Vallettav.  Luxembourg, 9 June 2023
GKMatthias Debono (2002-02-11) 11 February 2002 (age 22)00 Ħamrun Spartansv.  Ukraine, 19 June 2023

DFKarl Micallef (1996-09-08) 8 September 1996 (age 27)80 Gudja Unitedv.  Gibraltar, 6 September 2023 PRE
DFJake Vassallo (2004-06-21) 21 June 2004 (age 19)00 Mostav.  Gibraltar, 6 September 2023 PRE

MFTeddy Teuma (1993-09-30) 30 September 1993 (age 30)313 Reimsv.  Slovenia, 21 March 2024INJ
MFBjorn Kristensen (1993-04-05) 5 April 1993 (age 31)390 Hiberniansv.  Gibraltar, 6 September 2023
MFAdam Magri Overend (2000-05-03) 3 May 2000 (age 23)30 Florianav.  Gibraltar, 6 September 2023
MFRyan Camenzuli (1994-09-08) 8 September 1994 (age 29)350 Ħamrun Spartansv.  Gibraltar, 6 September 2023
MFKurt Zammit (1996-02-26) 26 February 1996 (age 28)00 Birkirkarav.  Gibraltar, 6 September 2023 PRE

FWJodi Jones (1997-10-22) 22 October 1997 (age 26)90 Notts Countyv.  Slovenia, 21 March 2024WD
FWJurgen Degabriele (1996-10-10) 10 October 1996 (age 27)265 Hiberniansv.  Gibraltar, 6 September 2023
FWJake Grech (1997-11-18) 18 November 1997 (age 26)230 Balzanv.  Gibraltar, 6 September 2023
FWShaun Dimech (2001-08-08) 8 August 2001 (age 22)182 Vallettav.  Gibraltar, 6 September 2023 PRE
FWAlexander Satariano (2001-10-25) 25 October 2001 (age 22)253 Birkirkarav.  Ukraine, 19 June 2023

INJ Player is injured
COV Withdrew due to covid
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Player records

As of 9 June 2023.[23]
Players in bold are still active with Malta.

Most capped players

Michael Mifsud is Malta's most capped player and all-time top scorer.
RankNameCapsGoalsCareer
1Michael Mifsud143422000–2020
2David Carabott122111987–2005
3Gilbert Agius12081993–2009
4Carmel Busuttil113231982–2001
5Andrei Agius10362006–2022
Joe Brincat10361987–2004
7Roderick Briffa10012003–2018
8John Buttigieg9711984–2000
9André Schembri9432006–2018
10Brian Said9151996–2009

Top goalscorers

RankNameGoalsCapsAverageCareer
1Michael Mifsud421430.292000–2020
2Carmel Busuttil231130.211982–2001
3David Carabott111220.091987–2005
4Hubert Suda8710.111988–2001
Gilbert Agius81200.071993–2009
6Raymond Xuereb6450.131971–1985
Kristian Laferla6650.091986–1998
Andrei Agius61030.062006–2022
Joe Brincat61030.061987–2004

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FIFA World Cup recordQualification record
YearRoundPositionPldWDLGFGAPldWDLGFGA
1930 to 1958Not a FIFA memberNot a FIFA member
1962 to 1970Did not enterDid not enter
1974Did not qualify6006120
19786006027
19824004215
19868017625
19908026318
199410118323
1998100010237
200210019424
200610037432
201010019026
201410109528
201810019325
202210127930
2026To be determinedTo be determined
2030
2034
Total0/161123129742330

UEFA European Championship

UEFA European Championship recordQualification record
YearRoundPositionPldWDLGFGAPldWDLGFGA
1960Not a UEFA memberNot a UEFA member
1964Did not qualify200229
1968Did not enterDid not enter
1972Did not qualify6015216
19766105220
19806015221
19848107537
19888026421
19928026223
199610028222
20008008627
20048017524
2008121291031
201210019421
201610028316
202010109327
20248008220
2028To be determinedTo be determined
2032
Total0/1612041410254335

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
YearDivisionGroupRoundPositionPldWDLGFGAP/RRK
2018–19D3Group stage4th6033514 54th
2020–21D1Group stage2nd623186 52nd
2022–23D2Group stage2nd420254 52nd
2024–25D2To be determined
TotalGroup stage3/316466182452nd

Other records

YearRoundPositionPldWDLGFGA
7th November Cup 1993Third place3rd210124
Football at the 1963 Mediterranean Games9th9th4004418

Head-to-head record

As of 17 November 2023.[24][25]

  Positive record  Neutral record  Negative record

OpponentConfederationPlayedWDLGFGAGD% Win
 AlbaniaUEFA8125314−11012.50
 AlgeriaCAF301213−2000.00
 AndorraUEFA413053+2025.00
 AngolaCAF100112−1000.00
 ArmeniaUEFA611425−3016.67
 AustriaUEFA9018529−24000.00
 AzerbaijanUEFA9432149+5044.44
 BelarusUEFA301214−3000.00
 BelgiumUEFA110010+1100.00
 Bosnia and HerzegovinaUEFA410349−5025.00
 BulgariaUEFA130310538−33000.00
 CanadaCONCACAF220041+3100.00
 Cape VerdeCAF100102−2000.00
 Central African RepublicCAF110021+1100.00
 CroatiaUEFA10019529−24000.00
 CyprusUEFA8233910−1025.00
 Czech Republic[a]UEFA12039534−29000.00
 DenmarkUEFA9009432−28000.00
 East GermanyUEFA6006222−20000.00
 EgyptCAF200228−6000.00
 EnglandUEFA8008122−21000.00
 EstoniaUEFA82241012−2025.00
 Faroe IslandsUEFA102261419−5020.00
 FinlandUEFA8125514−9012.50
 FranceUEFA2002010−10000.00
 GabonCAF110021+1100.00
 GeorgiaUEFA9126512−7011.11
 Germany[b]UEFA9018338−35000.00
 GibraltarUEFA320131+2066.67
 GreeceUEFA11137724−17009.09
 HungaryUEFA12129628−22008.33
 IcelandUEFA1531111033−23020.00
 IndonesiaAFC220040+4100.00
 IsraelUEFA9126817−9011.11
 ItalyUEFA140113435−31000.00
 JapanAFC100101−1000.00
 JordanAFC320154+1066.67
 KazakhstanUEFA101022+0000.00
 KosovoUEFA3003210−8000.00
 KuwaitAFC110020+2100.00
 LatviaUEFA731358−3042.86
 LebanonAFC211010+1050.00
 LibyaCAF932469−3033.33
 LiechtensteinUEFA5410143+11080.00
 LithuaniaUEFA512258−3020.00
 LuxembourgUEFA722355+0028.57
 MoldovaUEFA713367−1014.29
 NetherlandsUEFA6006028−28000.00
 North MacedoniaUEFA8017319−16000.00
 Northern IrelandUEFA8026114−13000.00
 NorwayUEFA120210430−26000.00
 PolandUEFA4004013−13000.00
 PortugalUEFA10019528−23000.00
 QatarAFC110020+2100.00
 Republic of IrelandUEFA8008225−23000.00
 RomaniaUEFA200205−5000.00
 RussiaUEFA300317−6000.00
 San MarinoUEFA330062+4100.00
 ScotlandUEFA7016518−13000.00
 Serbia[c]UEFA4004118−17000.00
 SlovakiaUEFA10028529−24000.00
 SloveniaUEFA8017115−14000.00
 South AfricaCAF100101−1000.00
 South KoreaAFC201123−1000.00
 SpainUEFA8008337−34000.00
 SwedenUEFA130013249−47000.00
  SwitzerlandUEFA7025317−14000.00
 ThailandAFC110020+2100.00
 TunisiaCAF115331011−1045.45
 TurkeyUEFA6015415−11000.00
 UkraineUEFA310224−2033.33
 United Arab EmiratesAFC202011+0000.00
 United StatesCONCACAF100101−1000.00
 VenezuelaCONMEBOL100101−1000.00
 WalesUEFA4004215−13000.00
TotalWORLD4376072305280982−702013.73

FIFA rankings

As of 10 February 2022[26]

See also

Malta International Football Tournament

References

External links