De Leo finalises Malta squad for Netherlands qualifier, Bosnia and Herzegovina friendly

National Teams Head Coach Emilio De Leo has finalised the 28-man Malta squad for the upcoming October international window, featuring a 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifier against Group G leaders the Netherlands and a home friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Malta will first face the Netherlands on Thursday at the National Stadium. Three days later, Malta will return to the same venue to take on Bosnia and Herzegovina in a friendly fixture on Sunday.

Paul Mbong (FK Čukarički) and Zach Muscat (Chaves FC) are both suspended for the Netherlands qualifier. Both players, however, will be available for selection for the friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

The squad also sees the return of veteran defender Steve Borg (Valletta FC), who will make his final appearance for the national team in the Bosnia and Herzegovina friendly.

That match will serve as a testimonial fixture for Borg, marking the end of a distinguished international career that has spanned more than a decade in red.

THE SQUAD

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

Defenders: Zach Muscat (Chaves FC), Juan Carlos Corbalan (Marsaxlokk), Kurt Shaw (Sorrento), Enrico Pepe (Marsaxlokk), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers), Steve Borg (Valletta), Gabriel Mentz (Gżira United), Kean Scicluna (Zabbar St Patrick), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers).

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

Forwards: Joseph E. Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans), Jodi Jones (Notts County), Paul Mbong* (FK Čukarički), Ilyas Chouaref (Sion FC), Irvin Cardona (AS Saint-Étienne), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Reading FC), Keyon Ewurum (Valletta), Kemar Reid (Birkirkara).