Malta women's national football team

Last updated

Malta
Malta Football Association logo.svg
Association Malta Football Association
Confederation UEFA (Europe)
Head coach Manuela Tesse
Captain Emma Lipman
Most caps Dorianne Theuma (118)
Top scorer Dorianne Theuma (26)
Home stadium Centenary Stadium
FIFA code MLT
Kit left arm mlt22h.png
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Kit body mlt22h.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm mlt22h.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts mlt22h.png
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks mlt22h.png
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
Kit left arm mlt22a.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body mlt22a.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm mlt22a.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts mlt22a.png
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Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 89 Decrease2.svg 2 (7 August 2025) [1]
Highest74 (August 2003)
Lowest115 (October 2007)
First international
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania 3–0 Malta  Flag of Malta.svg
(Bucharest, Romania; 10 August 2003)
Biggest win
Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 6–0 Luxembourg  Flag of Luxembourg.svg
(Ta' Qali, Malta; 6 April 2013)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 0–13 Spain  Flag of Spain.svg
(Ta' Qali, Malta; 9 September 2009)

The Malta women's national football team (Maltese : Tim nazzjonali tal-futbol ta' Malta tan-nisa) represents the Malta Football Association in international women's football matches sanctioned by UEFA. [2]

Contents

History

The team first appeared in official competitions in the 2005 European Championship's qualifying, debuting on August 10, 2003 in Bucharest with a 3–0 loss to Romania. Malta lost all eight games in the qualifiers, scoring once and conceding 35 goals. The team's first goal was scored by Sarah Caruana on November 16, 2003, against Croatia in a match played at the Gozo Stadium. [3]

After 13 losses, Malta achieved its first draw on June 7, 2006 against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last match of the 2007 World Cup's qualifying. The team played in the 2011 World Cup's qualifying, losing all games including a record 0–13 defeat to Spain. On March 3, 2011, Malta won an official match for the first time in the 2013 European Championship qualifying's preliminary round, beating Georgia 1–0 with a goal by D'Agostino in injury time.

On April 6, 2013 Malta beat Luxembourg 6–0 in the 2015 World Cup qualifying's preliminary round. The team also defeated Latvia and drew with Albania to top the group and make it past a preliminary round for the first time. [4]

The team was coached from its foundation until 2014 by Pierre Brincat, and then from 2015 till 2022 by former U19 coach Mark Gatt. [5] Former Italian international Manuela Tesse was appointed as the head coach from 1 January 2023 [6]

Team image

Home stadium

The Malta women's national team play their home matches at the Centenary Stadium.

Overall official record

CompetitionStageResultOpponentPositionScorers
2005 Euro qualifying Regular stage
(Class B)
0–3 0–8
0–1 0–2
0–3 1–4
0–9 0–5
Flag of Romania.svg Romania
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Bosnia and Herzegovina
Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia
Flag of Ireland.svg Ireland
5 / 5

Caruana
2007 World Cup qualifying Regular stage
(Class B)
1–4 0–1
1–4 1–3
0–1 1–1
Flag of Croatia.svg Croatia
Flag of Slovenia.svg Slovenia
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg Bosnia and Herzegovina
4 / 4 D'Agostino
Theuma, Tonna
Theuma
2009 Euro qualifying Preliminary round0–0
2–4
0–8
Flag of Lithuania.svg Lithuania
Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg
Flag of Slovakia.svg Slovakia
4 / 4
Carabott 2
2011 World Cup qualifying Regular stage0–13 0–9
0–8 0–6
0–2 0–6
0–2 1–5
Flag of Spain.svg Spain
Flag of England.svg England
Flag of Austria.svg Austria
Flag of Turkey.svg Turkey
5 / 5


N. Pace
2013 Euro qualifying Preliminary round1–0
0–2
1–1
Flag of Georgia.svg Georgia
Flag of the Faroe Islands.svg Faroe Islands
Flag of Armenia.svg Armenia
2 / 4 D'Agostino

Cuschieri
2015 World Cup qualifying Preliminary round1–1
6–0
2–0
Flag of Albania.svg Albania
Flag of Luxembourg.svg Luxembourg
Flag of Latvia.svg Latvia
1 / 4 Theuma
Theuma 2, Buttigieg, Carabott, Cuschieri, Xuereb
Cuschieri, Theuma
Regular stage0–2 0–2
0–5 0–8
0–3 0–5
0–11 0–5
0–8 0–5
Flag of Israel.svg Israel
Flag of Denmark.svg Denmark
Flag of Serbia.svg Serbia
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Switzerland
Flag of Iceland.svg Iceland
6 / 6

Results and fixtures

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

  Win  Draw  Lose  Fixture

2024

29 November Friendly Malta  Flag of Malta.svg1-3Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Ta' Qali, Malta
14:00 Bugeja Soccerball shade.svg??'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
3 December Friendly Malta  Flag of Malta.svg1-1Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Ta' Qali, Malta
14:00 Bugeja Soccerball shade.svg53' Csizar Soccerball shade.svg46'Stadium: Centenary Stadium

2025

21 February 2025 UEFA Nations League C Cyprus  Flag of Cyprus.svg2–1Flag of Malta.svg  Malta Larnaca, Cyprus
18:00 (19:00 EEST) Report Stadium: AEK Arena
Attendance: 180
Referee: Emily Heaslip (England)
25 February 2025 UEFA Nations League C Malta  Flag of Malta.svg1–0Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra Ta' Qali
19:30
Report Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Attendance: 612
Referee: Teresa Oliveira (Portugal)
4 April 2025 UEFA Nations League C Georgia  Flag of Georgia.svg2–3Flag of Malta.svg  Malta Tbilisi, Georgia
17:00 (19:00 GET)
Report
Stadium: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium
Attendance: 853
Referee: Elvira Nurmustafina (Kazakhstan)
8 April 2025 UEFA Nations League C Malta  Flag of Malta.svg2–1Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Ta' Qali, Malta
19:00
Report Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Attendance: 620
Referee: Cansu Tryak (Türkiye)
30 May 2025 UEFA Nations League C Malta  Flag of Malta.svg1–0Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus Ta' Qali
19:00
Report Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 1,205
Referee: Sabina Bolić (Croatia)
3 June 2025 UEFA Nations League C Andorra  Flag of Andorra.svg0–0Flag of Malta.svg  Malta Encamp
19:00 Report Stadium: Estadi de la FAF
Attendance: 470
Referee: Satu Miettunen (Finland)
25 October Friendly Malta  Flag of Malta.svg0–2Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus Ta' Qali, Malta
20:30 Report
Stadium: National Stadium, Ta' Qali
28 October Friendly Malta  Flag of Malta.svg0–1Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus Ta' Qali, Malta
21:00 Report Olkhovik Soccerball shade.svg39'Stadium: National Stadium, Ta' Qali
Referee: Joanna Vassalo (Malta).
28 November 2025 (2025-11-28) Friendly Malta  Flag of Malta.svg3–2Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Ta' Qali, Malta
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
1 December Friendly Malta  Flag of Malta.svgFlag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Ta' Qali, Malta
Stadium: Centenary Stadium

2026

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

PositionNameRef.
Head coach Flag of Italy.svg Manuela Tesse
Assistant coach Flag of Malta.svg Dionne Tonna
Physical coach Flag of Malta.svg Karl Attard

Coaching history

As of 23 December 2023
ManagerMalta careerPlayedWonDrawnLostWin %
Flag of Malta.svg Pierre Brincat2003–20146011841018.3
Flag of Malta.svg Mark Gatt2015–202266231330034.8
Flag of Italy.svg Manuela Tesse 2023–Present10811080.0

    Players

    Current squad


    The following players were called up for the Friendly matches against Croatia on 28 November and 1 December 2025.  [7]

    Caps and goals correct as of 28 October 2025, after the match against Belarus.
    No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
    11 GK Giulia D'Antuono (2003-12-31) 31 December 2003 (age 21)40 Flag of Malta.svg Hibernians
    121 GK Maya Cachia (2004-12-23) 23 December 2004 (age 20)40 Flag of Malta.svg Hibernians
    231 GK Patricia Ebejer (2000-02-23) 23 February 2000 (age 25)120 Flag of Malta.svg Mġarr United

    22 DF Jessica Dimech (2002-06-22) 22 June 2002 (age 23)80 Flag of Malta.svg Hibernians
    32 DF Oceane Grange (1995-09-24) 24 September 1995 (age 30)70 Flag of France.svg RC Roubaix Wervicq
    42 DF Emma Lipman (captain) (1989-02-23) 23 February 1989 (age 36)421 Flag of Italy.svg Genoa
    52 DF Stephania Farrugia (1991-09-11) 11 September 1991 (age 34)1055 Flag of Malta.svg Birkirkara
    62 DF Georgiana Mifsud (2004-02-14) 14 February 2004 (age 21)10 Flag of Malta.svg Hibernians
    112 DF Alexandra Gatt (2004-10-13) 13 October 2004 (age 21)30 Flag of England.svg Hull City Ladies
    132 DF Maya Lucia (2003-07-06) 6 July 2003 (age 22)140 Flag of Poland.svg AP Orlen Gdańsk
    152 DF Tammy Falzon (2005-08-05) 5 August 2005 (age 20)10 Flag of Malta.svg Swieqi United
    162 DF Leanne Cefai (2000-02-22) 22 February 2000 (age 25)10 Flag of Malta.svg Mġarr United
    182 DF Emma Xuereb (1992-01-05) 5 January 1992 (age 33)864 Flag of Malta.svg Swieqi United
    222 DF Rebecca Bajada (1994-12-22) 22 December 1994 (age 30)200 Flag of Malta.svg Mġarr United
    2 DF Maia Debono (2001-11-07) 7 November 2001 (age 24)30 Flag of Malta.svg Mġarr United
    2 DF Jade Schembri (1999-05-08) 8 May 1999 (age 26)10 Flag of Malta.svg Swieqi United

    73 MF Amber Grech (1995-11-10) 10 November 1995 (age 30)110 Flag of Malta.svg Hibernians
    83 MF Rachel Cuschieri (vice-captain) (1992-04-26) 26 April 1992 (age 33)10915 Flag of Italy.svg Genoa
    143 MF Shona Zammit (1996-06-15) 15 June 1996 (age 29)907 Flag of Malta.svg Swieqi United
    203 MF Nicole Sciberras (2001-04-28) 28 April 2001 (age 24)540 Flag of Malta.svg Hibernians
    3 MF Brenda Borg (1997-05-01) 1 May 1997 (age 28)795 Flag of Malta.svg Mġarr United
    3 MF Sarah Urpani (2000-06-21) 21 June 2000 (age 25)00 Flag of Malta.svg Swieqi United
    3 MF Michaela Cachia (2005-08-25) 25 August 2005 (age 20)00 Flag of Malta.svg Swieqi United

    94 FW Kailey Willis (2003-05-18) 18 May 2003 (age 22)243 Flag of Italy.svg Venezia
    104 FW Maria Farrugia (2001-01-09) 9 January 2001 (age 24)5711 Flag of England.svg Bristol City
    174 FW Leah Ayres (2003-11-22) 22 November 2003 (age 22)70 Flag of Malta.svg Hibernians
    194 FW Yulya Carella (2005-03-30) 30 March 2005 (age 20)70 Flag of Malta.svg Mġarr United
    4 FW Sara Saliba (2007-03-26) 26 March 2007 (age 18)10 Flag of Malta.svg Swieqi United

    Recent call-ups

    The following players were called up to the squad within the last 12 months.

    Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
    GK Janice Xuereb (1996-08-01) 1 August 1996 (age 29)730 Flag of Malta.svg Birkirkara v. Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra, 3 June 2025
    GK Christiana Pisani (2003-09-19) 19 September 2003 (age 22)00 Flag of Malta.svg Lija Athletic v. Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary, 3 December 2024

    DF Valentina Rapa (2002-02-14) 14 February 2002 (age 23)70 Flag of Malta.svg Swieqi United v. Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus, 28 October 2025
    DF Mariah Cardona PRE (2003-12-14) 14 December 2003 (age 21)10 Flag of Malta.svg Birkirkara v. Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus, 25 October 2025
    DF Fiona Buttigieg PRE (1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 (age 27)40 Flag of England.svg Luton Town v. Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus, 25 October 2025
    DF Charlene Zammit (1991-01-18) 18 January 1991 (age 34)1052 Flag of Malta.svg Birkirkara v. Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra, 3 June 2025
    DF Abigail Camilleri (1993-09-11) 11 September 1993 (age 32)10 Flag of Malta.svg Mġarr United v. Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary, 3 December 2024

    MF Gabriella Zahra RET (1991-05-02) 2 May 1991 (age 34)611 Flag of Malta.svg Birkirkara v. Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus, 25 October 2025
    MF Jana Barbara PRE (2001-07-07) 7 July 2001 (age 24)20 Flag of Germany.svg FC Schalke 04 v. Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus, 25 October 2025
    MF Ann-Marie Said (1994-07-02) 2 July 1994 (age 31)520 Flag of Malta.svg Mġarr United v. Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra, 3 June 2025

    FW Haley Bugeja (2004-05-05) 5 May 2004 (age 21)4224 Flag of Italy.svg Inter Milan v. Flag of Belarus.svg  Belarus, 28 October 2025
    FW Lexine Farrugia (2007-07-06) 6 July 2007 (age 18)60 Flag of Italy.svg Roma v. Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra, 3 June 2025
    FW Alishia Sultana (1997-04-09) 9 April 1997 (age 28)612 Flag of Malta.svg Birkirkara v. Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia, 8 April 2025
    FW Jade Flask (1996-08-04) 4 August 1996 (age 29)677 Flag of Malta.svg Swieqi United v. Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra, 25 February 2025
    FW Ylenia Carabott (1989-03-02) 2 March 1989 (age 36)9720 Flag of England.svg London Seaward v. Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary, 3 December 2024

    Notes (appended to Name)
    • INJ = Withdrew due to injury
    • PRE = Preliminary squad / on stand-by
    • RET = Retired from national team

    Captains

    Records

    *Active players in bold, statistics correct as of 9 August 2025.

    Most capped players

    In 2015 Dorianne Theuma was Malta's most capped player with 64 caps. Dorianne.PNG
    In 2015 Dorianne Theuma was Malta's most capped player with 64 caps.

    Below is a list of the 10 players with the most caps for Malta.[ citation needed ]

    #PlayerPeriodCapsGoals
    1 Dorianne Theuma 2003–202411826
    2 Rachel Cuschieri 2007–present10715
    3 Charlene Zammit 2009–present1052
    4 Stephania Farrugia 2007–present1035
    5 Ylenia Carabott 2005–present9720
    6 Shona Zammit 2014–present887
    7 Emma Xuereb 2009–present844
    8 Brenda Borg 2013–present795
    9 Janice Xuereb 730
    10 Jade Flask 2014–present677

    Top goalscorers

    #PlayerYear(s)GoalsCaps
    1 Dorianne Theuma 2003-202426118
    2 Haley Bugeja 2020–present2440
    3 Ylenia Carabott 2007–present2097
    4 Rachel Cuschieri 2009–present15107
    5 Maria Farrugia 2019–present1155
    6 Jade Flask 2014–present767
    6 Shona Zammit 2014–present788
    8 Brenda Borg 2013–present579
    8 Stephania Farrugia 2013–present5103
    10 Emma Xuereb 2009–present484

    Competitive record

    FIFA Women's World Cup

    FIFA Women's World Cup recordQualification record
    YearResultPldWD*LGFGAGDPldWD*LGFGAGD
    Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 1991 Did not enter UEFA Euro 1991
    Flag of Sweden.svg 1995 UEFA Euro 1995
    Flag of the United States.svg 1999 Did not enter
    Flag of the United States.svg 2003
    Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg 2007 Did not qualify6015414−10
    Flag of Germany.svg 2011 8008151−50
    Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg 2015 132110956−47
    Flag of France (lighter variant).svg 2019 311132+1
    Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 2023 8215617−11
    Flag of Brazil.svg 2027 To be determinedTo be determined
    Flag of Costa Rica.svg Flag of Jamaica.svg Flag of Mexico.svg Flag of the United States.svg 2031 To be determinedTo be determined
    Flag of the United Kingdom.svg 2035 To be determinedTo be determined
    Total--------38512923140−117
    *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

    UEFA Women's Championship

    UEFA Women's Championship recordQualifying record
    YearResultPldWDLGFGAPldWDLGFGAP/RRnk
    Flag of England.svg Flag of Italy.svg Flag of Norway.svg Flag of Sweden.svg 1984 Did not enterDid not enter
    Flag of Norway.svg 1987
    Flag of Germany.svg 1989
    Flag of Denmark.svg 1991
    Flag of Italy.svg 1993
    Flag of England.svg Flag of Germany.svg Flag of Norway.svg Flag of Sweden.svg 1995
    Flag of Norway.svg Flag of Sweden.svg 1997
    Flag of Germany.svg 2001
    Flag of England.svg 2005 Did not qualify8008135
    Flag of Finland.svg 2009 3012212
    Flag of Sweden.svg 2013 311123
    Flag of the Netherlands.svg 2017 320198
    Flag of England.svg 2022 103161130
    Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg 2025 6015210Red Arrow Down.svg [a] 30th
    2029 To be determinedTo be determined
    Total-------276318258830th
    *Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

    UEFA Nations League

    UEFA Nations League record
    YearLeagueGroupPositionPldWDLGFGAP/RRnk
    2023–24 C 1 1st6510131Green Arrow Up Darker.svg34th
    2025 C 2 To be determined
    Total651013134th
    Green Arrow Up Darker.svgPromoted at end of season
    Steady3.svgNo movement at end of season
    Red Arrow Down.svgRelegated at end of season
    *Participated in promotion/relegation play-offs

    See also

    Malta International Football Tournament

    Notes

    1. From Euro 2025 onwards a new qualifying format was introduced, linked to the Women's Nations League where teams are divided into leagues with promotion/relegation between the leagues at the end of each cycle.

      References

      1. "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking". FIFA. 7 August 2025. Retrieved 7 August 2025.
      2. "Malta – Women's". UEFA . Retrieved 23 June 2017.
      3. Duret, Sébastien; Morrison, Neil (19 June 2005). "European Women Championship 2005 – Match Details". RSSSF . Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
      4. Aquilina, Domenic (18 April 2013). "Malta proud to make history". UEFA . Retrieved 23 June 2017.
      5. Lia, Gianluca (8 February 2015). "Interview with Malta women's national team head coach Mark Gatt". Women's Soccer United. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
      6. "MANUELA TESSE IS THE NEW NATIONAL WOMEN'S TEAM HEAD COACH". Malta Football Association. 15 December 2022. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
      7. "Malta Women Set For Double Friendly Against Croatia As Preparations Begin For 2026 League B2 Campaign". Malta Football Association. 23 November 2025.