Malta national football team

The Malta national football team (Maltese: Tim nazzjonali tal-futbol ta' Malta) represents Malta in international football and is controlled by the Malta Football Association, the governing body for football in Malta.

This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Malta women's national football team.

Malta
Nickname(s)Knights of Malta, Ħomor (Reds), Falcons
AssociationMalta Football Association
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachDevis Mangia
CaptainMichael Mifsud
Most capsMichael Mifsud (143)
Top scorerMichael Mifsud (42)
Home stadiumTa' Qali Stadium
FIFA codeMLT
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 176 (10 December 2020)[1]
Highest66 (September 1994, September 1995)
Lowest191 (July 2017, September 2017)
First international
 Malta 2–3 Austria 
(Gżira, Malta; 24 February 1957)
Biggest win
 Malta 7–1 Liechtenstein 
(Ta' Qali, Malta; 26 March 2008)
Biggest defeat
 Spain 12–1 Malta 
(Seville, Spain; 21 December 1983)

The first official game played by Malta was a 2–3 defeat in a friendly against Austria in 1957.[2] Their competitive debut arrived five years later, playing against Denmark in the preliminary round of the 1964 European Nations' Cup.[3] Since becoming a UEFA member in 1960 and a FIFA member in 1959,[4] Malta have competed in every qualifier for the European Championship and World Cup, without ever making it to the finals of any major international competition.

History

Malta played its first international game on 24 February 1957 at the Empire Stadium, losing 2–3 to Austria. That match was played in front of a capacity crowd at the old Empire Stadium. The Malta Football Association joined FIFA in 1959 and UEFA a year later. However, in late 1959, Malta played in the 1960 Summer Olympics African Qualifiers against Morocco and Tunisia, in which they finished last in the group with two draws and two losses.

The Maltese international side first competed in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA European Nations Cup in 1962, and in FIFA World Cup qualification in 1971.[5] Malta's first competitive draw ended 1–1 against Greece in 1970. Malta's first two competitive wins were victories of 2–0 and 2–1 at home to Greece and Iceland in European Championship qualifiers in 1975 and 1982 respectively. In 1979, Malta drew 0–0 with West Germany in a European championship qualifier and they met again on 16 December 1984 for a memorable World Cup Qualifier in front of a record attendance at the Ta'Qali stadium, where the 1982 & eventual 1986 World Cup runners-up only managed a 2–3 win. Another prestigious result was achieved in March 1987 when Malta drew 2–2 in Portugal, in a qualifier for Euro'88 and the side also twice drew against Hungary during the qualification for the 1990 FIFA World Cup, and recorded four friendly wins during 1991 and 1992.[3]

Malta's third competitive win came with a 1–0 victory away to Estonia in a 1993 World Cup qualifier in which Kris Laferla scored.[6] In October 1994 Malta held Czech Republic 0–0 in a qualifier for the UEFA Euro 1996, in which the latter ended runners-up. Six years later, in October 2000, in a group qualifying match for the 2002 World Cup, once again Malta managed another 0–0 draw vs Czech Republic which eventually cost the latter a place at the following major tournament. In June 2000, Malta played England, then managed by Kevin Keegan. Trailing 2–1 going into the final minutes, Malta were awarded a penalty, however David Carabott's effort was saved by Richard Wright.[7] Through November 2001 and May 2002, Malta played and remained undefeated in 6 international matches and in between they won the locally hosted (Rothmans) International Tournament. During 2005, Malta drew 1–1 against Croatia and Bulgaria. Another positive result was the 1–1 home draw in a friendly match against Northern Ireland, though George Mallia missed an injury time penalty which would have given them a win.[8] On 11 October 2006, Malta managed another competitive victory, a 2–1 triumph over Hungary in the European Championship qualifying with André Schembri scoring twice.[6]

On 7 February 2007, Malta drew 1–1 with one of the hosts of Euro 2008, Austria. The game was played to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first international match played by the Maltese national team.[9] On 8 September 2007, Malta managed another draw against Turkey in a Euro 2008 qualifying match, the game finishing 2–2.[10] On 26 March 2008, Malta achieved its largest ever victory, a 7–1 defeat of Liechtenstein in a friendly at the Ta' Qali Stadium, with Michael Mifsud scoring five goals.[11] A 2–0 friendly win over Georgia followed in 2009.[12]

In May 2010, sponsorship of the Maltese national side was taken on by sportswear firm Givova, who also designed a range of new kits for the team.[13] One month later, however, the side had fallen to their lowest ever FIFA world ranking position, of 169th in the world.[12] In 2009, Malta had a 0–0 draw with Albania at home. This was their only point for the 2010 World Cup qualifying. On 11 August 2010, Malta drew 1–1 at home against FYR Macedonia in a friendly game, with Michael Mifsud scoring a brilliant diving header for Malta.[14]

In February 2011, the side achieved a 0–0 draw against Switzerland, in which goalkeeper Justin Haber saved two penalties.[12] On 6 September 2011, Malta won their first Euro 2012 qualifying point, with a 1–1 draw against Georgia. During the years of 2010 and 2011, Malta did not get many positive results, and coach John Buttigieg and assistant coach Carmel Busittil were both sacked in October 2011.[15] For the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, Malta won their first World Cup qualifying match in 20 years, nabbing a 1–0 win over Armenia in June 2013.[16] In June 2017, Malta defeated Ukraine 1–0 in a friendly match, thanks to a lone goal by defender Zach Muscat. [17]Malta recorded their 7th all-time competitive win (and their first in the UEFA Nations League) on October 13, 2020, defeating Latvia 1-0 in Riga, scoring the winning goal in the 97th minute.

Coaching staff
As of 9 July 2020[18]
Manager Devis Mangia
Assistant Manager Davide Mazzotta
Assistant Manager Guillermo Giacomazzi
Goalkeeping Coach Mario Capece
Physical Trainer Luca Pagani
Sport Scientist Francesco Zanasi

Players

Current squad

The following 26 players were called up for the 2020–21 UEFA Nations League fixtures against Andorra and Faroe Islands on 14 and 17 November 2020, respectively. [19]

Caps and goals are correct as of 17 November 2020, after the match against Faroe Islands.
No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Henry Bonello (1988-10-13) 13 October 1988 23 0 Valletta
12 1GK Matthew Calleja Cremona (1994-09-14) 14 September 1994 0 0 Hibernians
16 1GK Jake Galea (1996-04-15) 15 April 1996 2 0 Sliema Wanderers
2DF Andrei Agius (1986-08-12) 12 August 1986 97 6 Hibernians
4 2DF Steve Borg (1998-01-08) 8 January 1998 56 3 Gżira United
13 2DF Kurt Shaw (1999-04-01) 1 April 1999 6 0 Sliema Wanderers
5 2DF Karl Micallef (1996-09-08) 8 September 1996 2 0 Ħamrun Spartans
11 3MF Rowen Muscat (1991-06-05) 5 June 1991 49 1 Valletta
19 3MF Bjorn Kristensen (1993-04-05) 5 April 1993 25 0 Hibernians
10 3MF Steve Pisani (1992-08-07) 7 August 1992 25 0 Balzan
7 3MF Joseph Mbong (1997-07-15) 15 July 1997 23 0 Ħamrun Spartans
8 3MF Jake Grech (1997-11-18) 18 November 1997 14 0 Hibernians
3MF Ryan Camenzuli (1994-09-08) 8 September 1994 10 0 Floriana
6 3MF Matthew Guillaumier (1998-04-09) 9 April 1998 8 1 Birkirkara
23 3MF Tristan Caruana (1991-09-15) 15 September 1991 4 1 Valletta
3MF Teddy Teuma (1993-09-30) 30 September 1993 6 0 Union SG
15 3MF Juan Carlos Corbalan (1997-03-03) 3 March 1997 12 1 Ħamrun Spartans
20 4FW Luke Gambin (1993-03-16) 16 March 1993 28 0 Colchester United
14 4FW Kyrian Nwoko (1997-07-04) 4 July 1997 17 3 Valletta
18 4FW Jurgen Degabriele (1996-10-10) 10 October 1996 8 2 Hibernians
9 4FW Luke Montebello (1995-08-13) 13 August 1995 8 0 Birkirkara
21 4FW Shaun Dimech (2001-08-08) 8 August 2001 4 1 Valletta
17 4FW Alexander Satariano (2001-10-25) 25 October 2001 3 0 Sliema Wanderers

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within the last 12 months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Rashed Al-Tumi (2000-10-14) 14 October 2000 0 0 Arzachena return-to-activity programme, 5 July 2020
GK Justin Haber (1981-06-09) 9 June 1981 54 0 Gżira United v.  Norway, 18 November 2019
DF Jean Borg (PRE) (1998-01-08) 8 January 1998 3 0 Valletta
DF Zach Muscat (WD) (1993-08-22) 22 August 1993 43 1 Casa Pia
DF Enrico Pepe (1989-11-12) 12 November 1989 1 0 Birkirkara
DF Ferdinando Apap (1992-07-29) 29 July 1992 6 0 Hibernians v.  Latvia, 6 September 2020
DF Jonathan Caruana (1986-07-24) 24 July 1986 44 2 Valletta v.  Norway, 18 November 2019
DF Joseph Zerafa (1988-05-31) 31 May 1988 35 0 Valletta v.  Norway, 18 November 2019
DF Jurgen Pisani (1992-09-03) 3 September 1992 1 0 Floriana v.  Norway, 18 November 2019
MF Neil Tabone (1997-10-01) 1 October 1997 1 0 Zejtun Corinthians v.  Andorra, 14 November 2020
MF Myles Beerman (PRE) (1999-03-13) 13 March 1999 7 0 Hibernians
MF Samir Arab (1994-03-25) 25 March 1994 1 0 Balzan
MF Cain Attard (1994-09-10) 10 September 1994 6 0 Birkirkara
MF Joe Muscatt (1997-12-15) 15 December 1997 1 0 SC Paderborn 07 II v.  Gibraltar, 7 October 2020
MF Dunstan Vella (1996-04-27) 27 April 1996 7 0 Hibernians return-to-activity programme, 5 July 2020
MF Yannick Yankam (1997-12-12) 12 December 1997 0 0 Birkirkara return-to-activity programme, 5 July 2020
MF Zach Scerri (1996-03-08) 8 March 1996 0 0 Gżira United return-to-activity programme, 5 July 2020
MF Paul Fenech (1986-12-20) 20 December 1986 60 2 Balzan v.  Norway, 18 November 2019
MF Nikolai Muscat (1996-07-13) 13 July 1996 0 0 Gżira United v.  Norway, 18 November 2019
MF Brandon Paiber (1995-06-05) 5 June 1995 1 0 Floriana v.  Norway, 18 November 2019
FW Jean Paul Farrugia (1992-03-21) 21 March 1992 17 2 Sliema Wanderers v.  Andorra, 14 November 2020
FW Aidan Friggieri (PRE) (1998-04-28) 28 April 1998 0 0 Gudja United
FW Jan Busuttil (PRE) (1999-03-06) 6 March 1999 1 0 Floriana
FW Michael Mifsud (RET) (1981-04-17) 17 April 1981 143 42 Birkirkara
FW Paul Mbong (2001-09-02) 2 September 2001 4 0 Birkirkara
FW Mario Fontanella (1989-06-28) 28 June 1989 0 0 Valletta return-to-activity programme, 5 July 2020

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Player withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue.

Results and fixtures
Main article: Malta national football team results (2020–present)

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

2019
15 November UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying Spain  7–0  Malta Cádiz, Spain
20:45 (UTC+1) Morata  23'
Cazorla  41'
Torres  62'
Sarabia  63'
Olmo  69'
Moreno  71'
Navas  85'		 Report Stadium: Ramón de Carranza
Referee: Viktor Kassai (Hungary)
18 November UEFA Euro 2020 qualifying Malta  1–2  Norway Ta' Qali, Malta
20:45 (UTC+1) Fenech  40' Report King  7'
Sørloth  62'		 Stadium: National Stadium
Referee: Aliyar Aghayev (Azerbaijan)

2020
26 March Friendly Malta  cancelled  Gibraltar Ta' Qali, Malta
19:00 Stadium: National Stadium
TBD Friendly Malta  cancelled  Slovenia
Report
TBD Friendly Portugal  cancelled  Malta
Report
3 September 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Faroe Islands  3–2  Malta Tórshavn, Faroe Islands
19:45
Report
Stadium: Tórsvøllur
Attendance: 0
Referee: Ádám Farkas (Hungary)
6 September 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Malta  1–1  Latvia Ta' Qali, Malta
20:45
Report
Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Stéphanie Frappart (France)
7 October Friendly Malta  2–0  Gibraltar Ta' Qali, Malta
20:45
Report Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Nikola Popov (Bulgaria)
10 October 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Andorra  0–0  Malta Andorra la Vella, Andorra
20:45 Report Stadium: Estadi Nacional
Referee: Alain Durieux (Luxembourg)
13 October 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Latvia  0–1  Malta Riga, Latvia
18:00 Report
Stadium: Daugava Stadium
Referee: Iwan Arwel Griffith (Wales)
11 November Friendly Malta  3–0  Liechtenstein Ta' Qali, Malta
19:45
Report Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Manfredas Lukjančukas (Lithuania)
14 November 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Malta  3–1  Andorra Ta' Qali, Malta
15:00
Report
Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Peter Kralović (Slovakia)
17 November 2020–21 UEFA Nations League Malta  1–1  Faroe Islands Ta' Qali, Malta
20:45
Report
Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Kristo Tohver (Estonia)

2021
24 March 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Malta  v  Russia Ta' Qali, Malta
20:45 Stadium: National Stadium
27 March 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Slovakia  v  Malta
20:45
30 March 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Croatia  v  Malta
20:45
1 September 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Malta  v  Cyprus Ta' Qali, Malta
20:45 Stadium: National Stadium
4 September 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Slovenia  v  Malta
18:00
7 September 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Russia  v  Malta
20:45
8 October 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Malta  v  Slovenia Ta' Qali, Malta
20:45 Stadium: National Stadium
11 October 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Cyprus  v  Malta
20:45
11 November 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Malta  v  Croatia Ta' Qali, Malta
20:45 Stadium: National Stadium
14 November 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification Malta  v  Slovakia Ta' Qali, Malta
15:00 Stadium: National Stadium

Records
Main articles: List of Malta international footballers and List of Malta national football team captains
As of 18 November 2019[20]
Players in bold are still active, at least at club level.

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup
FIFA World Cup record FIFA World Cup qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 Not a FIFA member Not a FIFA member
1934
1938
1950
1954
1958
1962
1966
1970
1974 Did not qualify 6 0 0 6 1 20
1978 6 0 0 6 0 27
1982 4 0 0 4 2 15
1986 8 0 1 7 6 25
1990 8 0 2 6 3 18
1994 10 1 1 8 3 23
1998 10 0 0 10 2 37
2002 10 0 1 9 4 24
2006 10 0 3 7 4 32
2010 10 0 1 9 0 26
2014 10 1 0 9 5 28
2018 10 0 1 9 3 25
2022 To be determined To be determined
2026
Total 0/21 102 2 10 90 33 300

UEFA European Football Championship
UEFA European Championship record UEFA European Championship qualifying record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1960 Not a UEFA member Not a UEFA member
1964 Did not qualify 2 0 0 2 2 9
1968 Did not enter Did not enter
1972 Did not qualify 6 0 1 5 2 16
1976 6 1 0 5 2 20
1980 6 0 1 5 2 21
1984 8 1 0 7 5 37
1988 8 0 2 6 4 21
1992 8 0 2 6 2 23
1996 10 0 2 8 2 22
2000 8 0 0 8 6 27
2004 8 0 1 7 5 24
2008 12 1 2 9 10 31
2012 10 0 1 9 4 21
2016 10 0 2 8 3 16
2020 10 1 0 9 3 27
2024 To be determined 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0/16 106 4 14 94 52 315

UEFA Nations League
UEFA Nations League record
Year Division Group Round Position Pld W D L GF GA P/R RK
2018–19 D 3 Group stage 4th 603351454th
2020–21 D 1 Group stage 2nd 62318652nd
2022–23 D TBA To be determined
Total Group stage 2/2 12 2 6 4 13 20 52nd

Mediterranean Games record
Mediterranean Games record
Year Round GP W D L GS GA
1951-000000
1955-000000
1959-000000
1963-4004418
1967-000000
1971-000000
1975-000000
1979-000000
1983-000000
1987-000000
1991 – present See Malta national under-20 team
Total1/104004418

Other records
Year Position
7th November Cup 19933rd
Total 0 title

All-time team record

As of 18 November 2019 after match against the  Norway[21]

  Positive Record   Neutral Record   Negative Record

  1. Includes matches against  Czechoslovakia.
  2. Includes matches against  West Germany.

Managers

Managerial history
As of 14 October 2018
Manager Malta career Played Won Drawn Lost Win %
Joe A. Griffiths 1957–1961 6 2 2 2 033.3
Carm Borg 1961–1964 9 0 2 7 000.0
Janos Bedl 1966 2 2 0 0 100.0
Tony Formosa[decimal 1] 1966 10 1 1 8 010.0
Joseph Attard 1969 1 0 0 1 000.0
Saviour Cuschieri 1970 1 0 1 0 000.0
Victor Scerri 1973 2 1 0 1 050.0
Terrenzio Polverini 1974–1976 9 1 2 6 011.1
John Calleja 1976–1978 11 2 1 8 018.2
Victor Scerri 1978–1983 26 3 3 20 011.5
Guentcho Dobrev 1984–1987 21 1 4 16 004.8
Horst Heese 1988–1991 36 3 8 25 008.3
Pippo Psaila 1991–1993 17 5 4 8 029.4
Pietro Ghedin 1993–1995 24 4 5 15 016.7
Robert Gatt 1996 3 0 1 2 000.0
Milorad Kosanović 1996–1997 15 0 2 13 000.0
Josif Ilić 1997–2001 41 5 4 32 012.2
Sigfried Held 2001–2003 21 4 5 12 019.0
Horst Heese[decimal 2] 2003–2006 15 1 2 12 006.7
Dušan Fitzel[decimal 2] 2006–2009 34 3 4 27 008.8
John Buttigieg[decimal 2] 2009–2011 21 2 3 16 009.5
Robert Gatt[decimal 3] 2012 1 1 0 0 100.0
Pietro Ghedin 2012–2017 48 7 6 35 014.6
Tom Saintfiet 2017–2018 3 0 0 3 000.0
Ray Farrugia 2018–2019 18 1 4 13 005.6
Devis Mangia[22] 2019– 8 4 3 1 050.0
  1. 1 match with Janos Bedl
  2. assisted by Carmel Busuttil
  3. managed the team on a one-off basis as caretaker manager

FIFA ranking
Rank Date
Worst Ever Rank 191[12] July 2017, September 2017
Best Ever Rank 66 September 1994, September 1995
Current Rank 176 November 2020

References
  1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking". FIFA. 10 December 2020. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  2. Baldacchino, Carmel (6 February 2007). "Malta's late rally thrills home crowd on debut". Times of Malta. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  3. "National Team All Time Results". Malta Football Association. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  4. "Member associations – Malta". UEFA. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  5. "History of the Malta Football Association". Malta Football Association. Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 28 July 2011.
  6. Brincat, Henry (15 October 2006). "Malta 2–1 Hungary". The Malta Independent. Archived from the original on 9 January 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2011.
  7. "Malta v England: Clockwatch". BBC. 3 June 2000. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
  8. "Malta 1–1 Northern Ireland". BBC. 17 August 2005. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  9. "Malta to play Euro 2008 co-hosts Austria on 30 May". The Malta Independent. 22 December 2007. Archived from the original on 30 March 2012. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  10. Huggins, Trevor (9 September 2007). "England notch easy win against Israel". Reuters UK.
  11. "Five-goal Mifsud inspires Malta to massive win". The Times of Malta. 27 March 2008.
  12. "Malta make ground from Swiss denial". fifa.com. 7 April 2011.
  13. "High-profile friendly a useful test – Buttigieg". The Times of Malta. 11 May 2010.
  14. "Malta-Macedonia draw 1–1". The Times of Malta. 11 August 2010.
  15. "Malta fires national coach John Buttigieg". ESPN. 26 October 2011.
  16. Azzopardi, Kevin (7 June 2013). "Resilient Malta stun Armenia". Times of Malta.
  17. "Friendly match: Malta obtains encouraging win against Ukraine". The Malta Independent. 6 June 2017.
  18. "Capece and Zanasi join national team's coaching staff". Malta Football Association. 9 July 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2020.
  19. "Malta senior squad update". Malta Football Association. 3 October 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  20. Mamrud, Roberto. "Malta – Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 8 June 2014.
  21. "World Football Elo Ratings: Malta". Elo Ratings. Retrieved 12 August 2017.
  22. "Devis Mangia appointed national teams' head coach". Times of Malta. 31 December 2019. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
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