Azzopardi and Veselji in Malta’s final squad alongside Carragher and Chouaref

Malta national teams head coach Emilio De Leo, has finalised the 26-man squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers.

De Leo has already made history by retaining all nine foreign-based players – the highest number ever selected for Malta’s national team.

Malta is set to commence its Group G campaign with a home fixture against Finland on Friday, March 21, 2025, at the Ta’ Qali National Stadium, kicking off at 20:45.

This match marks De Leo’s debut at the helm since his appointment in January. Subsequently, Malta will travel to Warsaw to face Poland at the Stadion Narodowy on Monday, March 24, also at 20:45.

Among the new faces, De Leo has decided to keep Jake Azzopardi (Valletta) and Mattia Veselji (FK Smederevo 1924, Serbia), both earning their first call-up to the senior squad.

Additionally, he has promoted promising James Sissons (Melita FC), a 2007-born goalkeeper, highlighting his commitment to developing young players.

They join fellow newcomers James Carragher (Wigan Athletic, England) and Illyas Chouaref (Sion FC, Switzerland), reinforcing a squad that blends fresh talent with experience.

THE SQUAD

Goalkeepers
Rashed Al Tumi (FC Sheriff Tiraspol – MDA), Henry Bonello (Ħamrun  Spartans FC), James Sissons (Melita FC).

Defenders
Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers FC), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers FC), Steve Borg (Ħamrun  Spartans FC), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans FC), James Lee Carragher (Wigan Athletic FC – ENG),  Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers FC), Zach Muscat (Sanliurfaspor – TUR), Enrico Pepe (Gżira United FC), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana FC), Kurt Shaw (Hibernians FC).

Midfielders                 
Jake Azzopardi (Valletta FC), Matthew Guillaumier (FKS Stal Mielec Spolka Akcyjna – POL), Brandon Diego Paiber (Valletta FC), Steven Pisani (Sliema Wanderers FC), Alexander Satariano (Birkirkara FC), Teddy Teuma (Stade de Reims FC – FRA).

Forwards                        
Joseph E. Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Paul Mbong (Birkirkara FC), Kyrian Nwoko (Sliema Wanderers FC), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Reading U21 – ENG), Mattia Veselji (FK Smederevo 1924 – SRB), Trent Anthony Buhagiar (Kapaz P.F.K. – AZE), Chouaref Ilyas (FC Sion – SUI).