De Leo names 30-Man Malta squad for Netherlands qualifier, Bosnia & Herzegovina friendly

Valletta’s Steve Borg to retire from Malta duty after Bosnia match

Malta’s national team coach Emilio de Leo has named a 30-man squad for the upcoming October international window, which features a 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifier against the Netherlands and a home friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Malta will first host the Netherlands, who are joint leaders with Poland on 10 points in Group G and with a game in hand, next Thursday (kick-off: 8.45pm).

The national team will then face Bosnia and Herzegovina in a friendly match on the following Sunday (kick-off: 7pm). Both fixtures will be played at the National Stadium.

De Leo welcomes back two key players in Stade de Reims midfielder Teddy Teuma, returning after injury, and Ħamrun Spartans wing-back Ryan Camenzuli, who missed the September fixtures.

Gżira United’s Andrew Borg is also included after impressing De Leo in domestic competitions. While previously called up, this marks his first selection under the Italian coach.

Malta will be without Paul Mbong (FK Čukarički, Serbia) and Zach Muscat (Chaves, Portugal) for the qualifier against the Netherlands due to suspension. Both will return for the Bosnia and Herzegovina friendly. James Carragher (Wigan Athletic) remains sidelined as he continues his recovery from surgery.

Veteran defender Steve Borg (Valletta) has also been recalled and will feature only in the friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina. That fixture will mark his final appearance for the national team, a fitting send-off to an illustrious international career.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS
Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans), Rashed Al Tumi (Sliema Wanderers), James Sissons (Chesterfield, England).

DEFENDERS
Zach Muscat* (Chaves, Portugal), Juan Carlos Corbalan (Marsaxlokk), Kurt Shaw (Sorrento, Italy), Enrico Pepe (Marsaxlokk), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers), Steve Borg** (Valletta), Gabriel Mentz (Gżira United), Kean Scicluna (Żabbar St Patrick), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers), Neil Micallef (Birkirkara).

MIDFIELDERS
Matthew Guillaumier (Panserraikos, Greece), Brandon Diego Paiber (Valletta), Alexander Satariano (Athens Kallithea, Greece), Steve Pisani (Sliema Wanderers), Yannick Yankam (Valletta), Teddy Teuma (Stade de Reims, France), Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers), Andrew Borg (Gżira United).

FORWARDS
Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans), Jodi Jones (Notts County, England), Paul Mbong* (FK Čukarički, Serbia), Ilyas Chouaref (Sion, Switzerland), Irvin Cardona (Saint-Étienne, France), Basil Tuma (Reading, England), Keyon Ewurum (Valletta), Kemar Reid (Birkirkara).

*Suspended vs the Netherlands
**Available only for Bosnia & Herzegovina friendly