Head coach Emilio De Leo has finalised Malta’s squad for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup European qualifiers, reducing the provisional 35-man list to a final selection of 26 players—plus two who are suspended for the opening match. The final decision was announced this morning, ahead of two crucial Group G fixtures against Lithuania and the Netherlands.
Malta will resume its qualifying campaign by hosting Lithuania on Saturday, 7 June at the National Stadium (kick-off: 18:00), before travelling to Groningen for a challenging encounter with the Netherlands on 10 June at the Euroborg Stadion (kick-off: 20:45).
One of the most notable decisions in the final selection is the inclusion of Keyon Ewurum, a promising young talent who was not part of the initial provisional squad. Ewurum, who plays for Valletta FC, was born in 2007, making him the youngest player in the squad—just a month younger than goalkeeper James Sissons. Meanwhile, Ilyas Chouaref will miss both matches due to a two-game suspension.
Kurt Shaw and Gabriel Mentz, although named in the final squad, are suspended for the Lithuania match but will be available for selection against the Netherlands.
Following this morning’s announcement, the team will hold two training sessions today. The evening session, scheduled for 18:15 at the National Football Centre, will be open to the public. Fans will have the opportunity to watch the team train and meet the players afterwards for photos and autographs.
With anticipation building and vital points on the line, Malta’s streamlined squad will aim to make a strong statement as the next phase of World Cup qualification begins.
Final Squad List
Goalkeepers
Rashed Al Tumi (FC Sheriff Tiraspol – MDA), Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans FC), James Sissons (Melita FC)
Defenders
Zach Muscat (Şanlıurfaspor – TUR), Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana FC), Juan Carlos Corbalan (Marsaxlokk FC), James Lee Carragher (Wigan Athletic FC – ENG), Kurt Shaw* (Hibernians FC), Enrico Pepe (Gżira United FC), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers FC), Gabriel Mentz* (Gżira United FC), Ryan Camenzuli (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Myles Beerman (Sliema Wanderers FC)
Midfielders
Matthew Guillaumier (FKS Stal Mielec – POL), Brandon Diego Paiber (Valletta FC), Bjorn Kristensen (Hibernians FC), Alexander Satariano (Birkirkara FC), Jake Azzopardi (Valletta FC), Teddy Teuma (Stade de Reims – FRA), Jake Grech (Floriana FC), Steven Pisani (Sliema Wanderers FC)
Forwards
Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans FC), Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers FC), Jodi Jones (Notts County FC – ENG), Paul Mbong (Birkirkara FC), Basil Tenywa Tuma (Reading FC – ENG), Kyrian Nwoko (Sliema Wanderers FC), Keyon Ewurum (Valletta FC)
*Suspended for the match against Lithuania
