De Leo names 28-Man Malta Squad for October fixtures against Netherlands and Bosnia & Herzegovina

National Teams Head Coach Emilio De Leo has announced a 28-man Malta squad for the upcoming October international window, which includes 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, 9 October, at 20:45 at the National Stadium, Ta’ Qali. Three days later, the team will return to the same venue to host Bosnia and Herzegovina on Sunday, 12 October, with kick-off at 19:00.

Suspensions and Return of a Veteran

For the qualifier against the Netherlands, both Paul Mbong (FK Čukarički) and Zach Muscat (Chaves FC) will be unavailable due to suspension. However, the pair will return to contention for the friendly match against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The squad also marks the return of veteran defender Steve Borg (Valletta FC), who will make his final appearance for Malta in the Bosnia and Herzegovina friendly. The match will serve as a testimonial fixture honouring Borg’s distinguished international career, which has spanned over a decade of service in the red shirt.

Malta National Team Squad – October 2025 International Window

Goalkeepers
Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans FC)
Rashed Al Tumi (Sliema Wanderers FC)
James Sissons (Chesterfield FC – ENG)

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

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

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

*Suspended for the match against the Netherlands
**Available only for the friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina

Gerald Fenech

Sports Editor
Veteran Journalist