Matias Garcia to play for Malta after passport application goes through

Argentine-born midfielder expected to make debut against Venezuela on Wednesday

Argentine-born midfielder Matias Garcia has been awarded a Maltese passport and will now be eligible to represent the national team in the upcoming UEFA Nations League qualifiers.

The announcement was made by Garcia’s club Floriana FC who said that the player had been awarded the passport through the citizenship-by-merit programme that was introduced by the government a few months ago.

“Floriana Football Club is pleased to announce that midfielder Matías García has formally received his Maltese passport through the citizenship-by-merit programme,” the Premier League club said in a statement.

“It is truly an honour to have such an exemplary and dedicated professional player eligible to represent not only our club, but also our country.”

Following this announcement, Garcia is now expected to be named by Malta national teams’ head coach Devis Mangia for the upcoming international commitments this month.

In fact, Malta will be in action on Wednesday when they face Venezuela in an international friendly at the National Stadium.

The match will serve as a warm-up for Sunday’s UEFA Nations League opener against San Marino in Serravalle.

Malta will then be facing Estonia at home before they host San Marino again at the National Stadium.

Garcia’s availability for these matches is a huge boost for coach Mangia who has to make do without influential midfielder Teddy Teuma for Sunday’s match against San Marino as he must serve suspension.