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2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers (UEFA)
Group G - Matchday 7
Malta v Netherlands
National Stadium
Ta'Qali, Malta
Thursday, 9 October 2025
Kick-off is at 20h45
Malta will be hoping to cause an upset when they host the Netherlands in the
2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers at the National Stadium on 9 October.
Current Form
The Reds drew 1-1 with Lithuania away on 4 September as they extended their winless run to five matches in the World Cup qualifiers.
Matla are also winless at home in the qualifiers, having registered one defeat and one draw, with both matches being played at the National Stadium.
Meanwhile, Netherlands edged out Lithuania 3-2 away on 7 September as they stretched their unbeaten run to four matches in the World Cup qualifiers.
The Flying Dutchmen are also unbeaten on the road in the qualifiers, having recorded two consecutive victories as the away side.
Team News
Malta will be without Paul Mbong and Zach Muscat for the match against the Netherlands due to suspension, while their teammate James Carragher will be missing due to an injury.
Netherlands, on the other hand, will be without Sem Steijn, Noa Lang, Teun Koopmeiners, and Matthijs de Ligt, who have all been excluded from the latest squad, but Jeremie Frimpong and Quilindschy Hartman have been recalled.
Quotes
“Malta and its boys deserve respect. To achieve a good result, we need everyone behind us. That support is vital," Malta head coach Emilio De Leo said.
“The Netherlands are a very strong team with a lot of talent. We know what we’re facing — it will be a real test. But we’re not just here to watch; we’re here to compete.”
Head-to-Head
Netherlands hammered Malta 8-0 in their last meeting, which was the 2026 World Cup qualifier played on 10 June at the Euroborg Stadion in Groningen.
As a result, the Flying Dutchmen are undefeated in seven matches against the Reds, having registered seven consecutive victories.
UEFA's World Cup Qualifiers
Matchday 7 fixtures
Thursday, 9 October 2025
18h00 - Finland vs Lithuania
20h45 - Belarus vs Denmark
20h45 - Scotland vs Greece
20h45 - Malta vs Netherlands
20h45 - Austria vs San Marino
20h45 - Cyprus vs Bosnia and Herzegovina
20h45 - Czechia vs Croatia
20h45 - Faroe Islands vs Montenegro
Friday, 10 October 2025
16h00 - Kazakhstan vs Liechtenstein
20h45 - Northern Ireland vs Slovakia
20h45 - Germany vs Luxembourg
20h45 - Kosovo vs Slovenia
20h45 - Sweden vs Switzerland
20h45 - Iceland vs Ukraine
20h45 - France vs Azerbaijan
20h45 - Belgium vs North Macedonia
Saturday 11 October 2025
15h00 - Latvia vs Andorra
18h00 - Hungary vs Armenia
18h00 - Norway vs Israel
20h45 - Bulgaria vs Türkiye
20h45 - Spain vs Georgia
20h45 - Portugal vs Republic of Ireland
20h45 - Estonia vs Italy
20h45 - Serbia vs Albania
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