Malta National Team Head Coach Emilio De Leo has named a provisional 31-man squad ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League play-off clashes against Luxembourg.
The first leg is set for Thursday, 26 March at the Taโ Qali National Stadium, while the return leg will be played in Luxembourg City on Tuesday, 31 March. Both matches will kick off at 18:00.
With promotion to League C on the line, Malta will be aiming to build on the positive momentum from their recent performances in the European Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The home tie against Luxembourg will mark Maltaโs first competitive match since concluding their Group G qualifying campaign, which ended with a spirited 3-2 defeat to Poland, following an impressive 1-0 away win over Finland during the same international window.
The provisional squad features a couple of new additions, including young talent Shaisen Attard of ฤฆamrun Spartans and Aleandro Garzia of Birkirkara. While Attard had previously received a call-up in 2024, this is his first inclusion under De Leo.
There are also several returning players, such as Valletta duo Jake Azzopardi and Andrea Zammit, along with former Valletta player Keyon Ewurum, now at Torino, and James Sissons of Chesterfield. Florianaโs Carlo Zammit Lonardelli also makes his return to the squad.
ฤฆamrun Spartans forward Joseph Mbong will be unavailable for the first leg due to suspension.
De Leoโs selection includes a blend of experienced players and promising youngsters, including a strong contingent of Malta internationals playing abroad, who will look to lead the team in their push for promotion.
Malta enter this play-off after finishing second in Group D2 of the 2024โ25 UEFA Nations League, while Luxembourg qualified as one of the best fourth-placed teams in League C.
Provisional Squad
Goalkeepers
Henry Bonello (ฤฆamrun Spartans), Rashed Al Tumi (Sliema Wanderers), James Sissons (Chesterfield), Matthias Debono (Naxxar Lions)
Defenders
Zach Muscat (Chaves), Juan Carlos Corbalan (Marsaxlokk), Kurt Shaw (Hibernians), Enrico Pepe (Marsaxlokk), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers), James Carragher (Wigan Athletic), Gabriel Mentz (Gลผira United), Aleandro Garzia (Birkirkara), Ryan Camenzuli (ฤฆamrun Spartans), Myles Beerman (Floriana), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana)
Midfielders
Matthew Guillaumier (ฤฆamrun Spartans), Brandon Paiber (Valletta), Alexander Satariano (Athens Kallithea), Yannick Yankam (Valletta), Jake Azzopardi (Valletta), Teddy Teuma (Standard Liรจge), Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers), Jake Grech (Floriana)
Forwards
Joseph Mbong (ฤฆamrun Spartans)*, Paul Mbong (Floriana), Ilyas Chouaref (Sion), Shaisen Attard (ฤฆamrun Spartans), Irvin Cardona (Saint-รtienne), Trent Buhagiar (Tampines Rovers), Keyon Ewurum (Torino), Andrea Zammit (Valletta)
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