Malta head coach Emilio De Leo has announced a provisional squad ahead of the national team’s upcoming international matches against Lithuania and San Marino in early September.
The national side will first travel to Kaunas on Thursday, 4 September, to face Lithuania in a 2026 World Cup Group G qualifier (kick-off 6pm local time). Five days later, on Tuesday, 9 September, Malta return to the Ta’ Qali National Stadium to host San Marino in a friendly, with kick-off set for 9pm.
Fresh Faces and Key Returns
De Leo has injected new energy into the squad with a blend of debutants, comebacks, and exciting prospects.
-
Irvin Cardona (AS Saint-Étienne, FRA) receives his first Malta call-up after committing his international future to the country. The 26-year-old forward, who previously played in Ligue 2 and on loan at Espanyol, has just completed a permanent move to Saint-Étienne.
-
Jake Brimmer (Auckland FC, AUS), a creative midfielder with experience in Australia’s A-League, also earns a first call-up.
-
Kean Scicluna (Żabbar St Patrick FC), 19, is rewarded for his progress through Malta’s youth system, having scored a decisive goal for the U21s against San Marino in June.
-
Yannick Yankam, recently returned to Valletta FC, is back in the national fold, while Ilyas Chouaref (Sion FC, SUI) returns after suspension, bolstering attacking options.
Suspensions and Injuries
Captain Matthew Guillaumier (Panserraikos, GRE) will miss the Lithuania match through suspension but is eligible to return against San Marino. However, Teddy Teuma and James Lee Carragher are both sidelined with injuries, while Basil Tuma is still recovering and is expected to feature for the U21 side instead.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers:
Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans), Rashed Al Tumi (Sliema Wanderers), James Sissons (Chesterfield, ENG).
Defenders:
Zach Muscat (Chaves, POR), Juan Carlos Corbalan (Marsaxlokk), Kurt Shaw (Sorrento, ITA), Enrico Pepe (Marsaxlokk), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers), Gabriel Mentz (Gżira United), Kean Scicluna (Żabbar St Patrick), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers).
Midfielders:
Matthew Guillaumier (Panserraikos, GRE), Brandon Paiber (Valletta), Alexander Satariano (Athens Kallithea, GRE), Jake Azzopardi (Valletta), Jake Grech (Floriana), Yannick Yankam (Valletta), Jake Brimmer (Auckland, AUS), Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers).
Forwards:
Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans), Jodi Jones (Notts County, ENG), Paul Mbong (Čukarički, SRB), Ilyas Chouaref (Sion, SUI), Irvin Cardona (AS Saint-Étienne, FRA), Kyrian Nwoko (Sliema Wanderers), Keyon Ewurum (Valletta), Kemar Reid (Birkirkara).
(Guillaumier suspended vs Lithuania)
Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist
Leave a Reply