Malta women's national football team

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

Malta
AssociationMalta Football Association
ConfederationUEFA (Europe)
Head coachManuela Tesse
CaptainEmma Lipman
Most capsDorianne Theuma (116)
Top scorerDorianne Theuma (26)
Home stadiumCentenary Stadium
FIFA codeMLT
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 87 (12 June 2025)[1]
Highest74 (August 2003)
Lowest115 (October 2007)
First international
 Romania 3–0  
(Bucharest, Romania; 10 August 2003)
Biggest win
  6–0 Luxembourg 
(Ta' Qali, Malta; 6 April 2013)
Biggest defeat
  0–13 Spain 
(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]

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

Competition Stage Result Opponent Position Scorers
2005 Euro qualifying Regular stage
(Class B)		 0–3 0–8
0–1 0–2
0–3 1–4
0–9 0–5		 Romania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Croatia
Ireland		 5 / 5

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


N. Pace
2013 Euro qualifying Preliminary round 1–0
0–2
1–1		 Georgia
Faroe Islands
Armenia		 2 / 4 D'Agostino

Cuschieri
2015 World Cup qualifying Preliminary round 1–1
6–0
2–0		 Albania
Luxembourg
Latvia		 1 / 4 Theuma
Theuma 2, Buttigieg, Carabott, Cuschieri, Xuereb
Cuschieri, Theuma
Regular stage 0–2 0–2
0–5 0–8
0–3 0–5
0–11 0–5
0–8 0–5		 Israel
Denmark
Serbia
Switzerland
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

22 February Visit Malta Women's Tournament 2024   2–0  Faroe Islands Paola, Malta
18:00
  • Sultana 55'
  • Bugeja 59'
 Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium
25 February Visit Malta Women's Tournament 2024   1–1  Belarus Paola, Malta
18:00 Borg 58' Arcišeŭskaja 90+2' Stadium: Tony Bezzina Stadium
5 April Euro 2025 qualifying Northern Ireland  0–0   Belfast
Report Stadium: Windsor Park
Referee: Maria Marotta (Italy)
9 April Euro 2025 qualifying   0–2  Portugal Ta' Qali
Report Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Referee: Katalin Sipos (Hungary)
31 May Euro 2025 qualifying   0–1  Bosnia and Herzegovina Ta' Qali
19:30 Report
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Attendance: 661
Referee: Emily Heaslip (England)
25 October Friendly Italy  5–0   Roma
18:15 Stadium: Stadio Tre Fontane
29 November Friendly   1-3  Hungary Ta' Qali,Malta
14:00 Bugeja ??'
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
3 December Friendly   1-1  Hungary Ta' Qali,Malta
14:00 Bugeja 53' Csizar 46' Stadium: Centenary Stadium

2025

21 February 2025 UEFA Nations League C Cyprus  2–1   Larnaca,Cyprus
18:00 (19:00 EEST)
Report
Stadium: AEK Arena
Attendance: 180
Referee: Emily Heaslip (England)
25 February 2025 UEFA Nations League C   1–0  Andorra Ta' Qali
19:30
Report Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Attendance: 612
Referee: Teresa Oliveira (Portugal)
4 April 2025 UEFA Nations League C Georgia  2–3   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   2–1  Georgia Ta' Qali,Malta
19:00
Report
Stadium: Centenary Stadium
Attendance: 620
Referee: Cansu Tryak (Türkiye)
30 May 2025 UEFA Nations League C   1–0  Cyprus Ta' Qali
19:00
Report Stadium: National Stadium
Attendance: 1,205
Referee: Sabina Bolić (Croatia)
3 June 2025 UEFA Nations League C Andorra  0–0   Encamp
19:00 Report Stadium: Estadi de la FAF
Attendance: 470
Referee: Satu Miettunen (Finland)

Coaching staff

Current coaching staff

Position Name Ref.
Head coach Manuela Tesse [1]
Assistant coach Dionne Tonna [2]
Physical coach Karl Attard [3]

Coaching history

As of 23 December 2023
Manager Malta career Played Won Drawn Lost Win %
Pierre Brincat 2003–2014 60 11 8 41 018.3
Mark Gatt 2015–2022 66 23 13 30 034.8
Manuela Tesse 2023–Present 10 8 1 1 080.0

Players

Main article: List of Malta women's international footballers

Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2025 UEFA Women's Nations League matches against Cyprus and Andorra on 30 May and 3 June 2025, respectively. [7]

Caps and goals are correct as of 3 June 2025, after the match against Andorra.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Janice Xuereb (1996-08-01) 1 August 1996 73 0 Birkirkara
12 1GK Maya Cachia (2004-12-23) 23 December 2004 3 0 Birkirkara
23 1GK Patricia Ebejer (2000-02-23) 23 February 2000 12 0 Mġarr United
4 2DF Emma Lipman (captain) (1989-02-23) 23 February 1989 41 1 Genoa
5 2DF Stefania Farrugia (1991-09-11) 11 September 1991 103 5 Birkirkara
6 2DF Valentina Rapa (2002-02-14) 14 February 2002 7 0 Birkirkara
6 2DF Oceane Grange (1995-09-24) 24 September 1995 5 0 RC Roubaix Wervicq Féminin
13 2DF Maya Lucia (2003-07-06) 6 July 2003 13 0 AP Orlen Gdańsk
15 2DF Fiona Buttigieg (1998-07-18) 18 July 1998 4 0 Luton Town Ladies
16 2DF Charlene Zammit (1991-01-18) 18 January 1991 105 2 Birkirkara
18 2DF Emma Xuereb (1992-01-05) 5 January 1992 84 4 Swieqi United
22 2DF Rebecca Bajada (1994-12-22) 22 December 1994 19 0 Mġarr United
2 3MF Gabriella Zahra (1991-05-02) 2 May 1991 60 1 Birkirkara
3 3MF Ann-Marie Said (1994-07-02) 2 July 1994 52 0 Mġarr United
8 3MF Rachel Cuschieri (1992-04-26) 26 April 1992 107 15 Genoa
14 3MF Shona Zammit (1996-06-15) 15 June 1996 88 7 Swieqi United
17 3MF Jana Barbara (2001-07-07) 7 July 2001 2 0 FC Schalke 04
20 3MF Nicole Sciberras (2001-04-28) 28 April 2001 52 0 Hibernians
21 3MF Alexandra Gatt (2004-10-13) 13 October 2004 2 0 York City Ladies
7 4FW Lexine Farrugia (2007-07-06) 6 July 2007 6 0 Roma
9 4FW Kailey Willis (2003-05-18) 18 May 2003 22 3 Venezia
10 4FW Maria Farrugia (2001-01-09) 9 January 2001 55 11 Sheffield
11 4FW Leah Ayres (2003-11-22) 22 November 2003 5 0 Hibernians
19 4FW Yulya Carella (2005-03-30) 30 March 2005 5 0 Mġarr United
21 4FW Haley Bugeja (2004-05-05) 5 May 2004 40 24 Inter Milan

Recent call-ups

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

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Giulia D'Antuono (2003-12-31) 31 December 2003 2 0 Mġarr United v.  Hungary, 3 December 2024
GK Christiana Pisani (2003-09-19) 19 September 2003 0 0 Lija Athletic v.  Hungary, 3 December 2024
GK Raisa Costantino (2005-05-23) 23 May 2005 1 0 SPD Tharros v.  Italy, 25 October 2024
DF Jessica Dimech (2002-06-22) 22 June 2002 8 0 Swieqi United v.  Andorra, 25 February 2025
DF Tammy Falzon (2005-08-05) 5 August 2005 0 0 Swieqi United v.  Andorra, 25 February 2025
DF Abigail Camilleri (1993-09-11) 11 September 1993 1 0 Mġarr United v.  Hungary, 3 December 2024
DF Mariah Cardona (2003-12-14) 14 December 2003 1 0 Birkirkara v.  Italy, 25 October 2024
DF Leanne Cefai (2000-02-22) 22 February 2000 0 0 Mġarr United v.  Italy, 25 October 2024
DF Jade Schembri (1999-05-08) 8 May 1999 1 0 Swieqi United v.  Portugal, 16 July 2024
MF Brenda Borg (1997-05-01) 1 May 1997 79 5 Mġarr United v.  Hungary, 3 December 2024
MF Maia Debono (2001-11-07) 7 November 2001 3 0 Mġarr United v.  Hungary, 3 December 2024
MF Sarah Urpani (2000-06-21) 21 June 2000 0 0 Swieqi United v.  Hungary, 3 December 2024
MF Michela Cachia (2005-08-25) 25 August 2005 0 0 Swieqi United v.  Hungary, 3 December 2024
MF Veronique Mifsud (2003-02-11) 11 February 2003 11 0 Birkirkara v.  Italy, 25 October 2024
MF Dorianne Theuma RET (1984-05-17) 17 May 1984 118 26 Swieqi United v.  Bosnia and Herzegovina, 4 June 2024
MF Simone Buttigieg (1994-10-31) 31 October 1994 4 0 Lija Athletic v.  Bosnia and Herzegovina, 4 June 2024
FW Alishia Sultana (1997-04-09) 9 April 1997 61 2 Birkirkara v.  Georgia, 8 April 2025
FW Jade Flask (1996-08-04) 4 August 1996 67 7 Swieqi United v.  Andorra, 25 February 2025
FW Amber Grech (1995-11-10) 10 November 1995 10 0 Hibernians v.  Andorra, 25 February 2025
FW Ylenia Carabott (1989-03-02) 2 March 1989 97 20 London Seaward v.  Hungary, 3 December 2024
FW Sara Saliba (2007-03-26) 26 March 2007 1 0 AC Milan v.  Portugal, 16 July 2024
Notes (appended to Name)
  • INJ = Withdrew due to injury
  • RET = Retired from national team

Captains

Records

*Active players in bold, statistics correct as of July 2021.

Most capped players

Below is a list of the 10 players with the most caps for Malta.

# Player Period Caps Goals
1 Dorianne Theuma 2003–present 114 29
2 Rebecca D'Agostino 2003–2014 57 4
3 Ylenia Carabott 2005–present 56 11
4 Natasha Pace 2003–2014 48 3
5 Rachel Cuschieri 2007–present 42 6
6 Charlene Zammit 2009–present 33 0
6 Mandy Debono 2006–present 33 0
6 Maria Azzopardi 2003–2011 33 0
9 Stefania Farrugia 2007–present 32 1
10 Kathleen Saliba 2004–2012 31 1

Top goalscorers

# Player Year(s) Goals Caps

Competitive record

FIFA Women's World Cup

FIFA Women's World Cup record Qualification record
Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA GD Pld W D* L GF GA GD
1991 Did not enter UEFA Euro 1991
1995 UEFA Euro 1995
1999 Did not enter
2003
2007 Did not qualify 6 0 1 5 4 14 −10
2011 8 0 0 8 1 51 −50
2015 13 2 1 10 9 56 −47
2019 3 1 1 1 3 2 +1
2023 8 2 1 5 6 17 −11
2027 To be determined To be determined
2031 To be determined To be determined
2035 To be determined To be determined
Total - - - - - - - - 38 5 1 29 23 140 −117
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Women's Championship

UEFA Women's Championship record Qualifying record
Year Result Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA P/R Rnk
1984 Did not enter Did not enter
1987
1989
1991
1993
1995
1997
2001
2005 Did not qualify 8 0 0 8 1 35 –
2009 3 0 1 2 2 12
2013 3 1 1 1 2 3
2017 3 2 0 1 9 8
2022 10 3 1 6 11 30
2025 6 0 1 5 2 10 [a] 30th
2029 To be determined To be determined
Total - - - - - - - 27 6 3 18 25 88 30th
*Draws include knockout matches decided on penalty kicks.

UEFA Nations League

UEFA Nations League record
Year League Group Position Pld W D L GF GA P/R Rnk
2023–24 C 1 1st 6 5 1 0 13 1 34th
2025 C 2 To be determined
Total 6 5 1 0 13 1 34th
Promoted at end of season
No movement at end of season
Relegated 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. 12 June 2025. Retrieved 12 June 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. 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. ^ "Tesse Calls Up Squad For Crucial UEFA Women's Nations League Matches With Cyprus And Andorra". Malta Football Association. 28 May 2025.
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