Malta Women’s Under-19 head coach Melania Bajada has named a 20-player squad for the upcoming UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship qualifiers, with all three matches to be played at the Centenary Stadium.
Malta will be hosting League B, Group B6 of the first qualifying round of the 2026/27 UEFA Women’s Under-19 Championship, facing Czechia, Romania and Kazakhstan.
The Maltese youngsters open their commitments against Czechia on Tuesday, 6 October at 14:30 before taking on Romania three days later, also at 14:30.
Their final match will be against Kazakhstan on Monday, 12 October, with kick-off scheduled for 12:30.
The six League B group winners, together with the best runner-up, will earn promotion to League A for the second round, which will be played in spring 2027.
The qualifying competition ultimately leads to the final tournament, which will be staged in Hungary in June 2027.
The three matches will provide Bajada’s squad with further competitive international experience while also giving the players the opportunity to contest a UEFA qualifying tournament on home soil.
Bajada’s selection includes two overseas-based players, with Nina-Lee Naudi representing Italian side Sampdoria and Crista Chetcuti Ganado on the books of Peterborough United Women in England. Madison Grace Cachia, who plays for Illawarra Stingrays in Australia, is also included in the 20-player squad.
Fixtures
6 October: Malta vs Czechia – Centenary Stadium, 14:30
9 October: Romania vs Malta – Centenary Stadium, 14:30
12 October: Kazakhstan vs Malta – Centenary Stadium, 12:30
Malta squad
Goalkeepers: Maya Muscat (Hibernians), Julia Marija Zarb (Valletta).
Defenders: Amber Galea (Hibernians), Edison Grixti (Hibernians), Nina-Lee Naudi (Sampdoria, Italy), Krista Sacco (Birkirkara), Martina Vassallo (Mġarr United), Kristina Zammit (Valletta).
Midfielders: Amy Catania (Hibernians), Alanah Ghio (Hibernians), Thais Muscat (San Ġwann), Pearl May Schembri (Mġarr United), Kay Axiak (Valletta), Gloria Cassar (Birkirkara), Olivia Nazarko (Hibernians), Yasmine Ghenam (Birkirkara), Madison Grace Cachia (Illawarra Stingrays, Australia).
Forwards: Lisa Calleja (Hibernians), Crista Chetcuti Ganado (Peterborough United Women, England), Somaya Muscat (Valletta).
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