Emilio De Leo has announced a provisional 34-man squad ahead of Malta’s upcoming international friendlies against Slovakia and Azerbaijan at the beginning of June.

The Malta national football team will first face Slovakia national football team on June 1 at the DAC Aréna in Dunajská Streda, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00. Malta will then take on Azerbaijan national football team on June 5 at the Haladás Sportkomplexum in Szombathely, Hungary, with the match starting at 20:00.

The two fixtures are expected to provide De Leo with another valuable opportunity to assess his squad ahead of Malta’s upcoming UEFA Nations League commitments.

Among the most notable aspects of the provisional squad is the inclusion of several new faces who have earned their first senior national team call-up following impressive club performances this season.

One of the newcomers is Luke Borg of Tarxien Rainbows F.C., whose consistent attacking displays have caught the attention of the national team coaching staff. Also receiving a first senior call-up is Nicholas Agius from Żabbar St. Patrick F.C. after an impressive domestic campaign.

Another interesting addition is defender Kevin Cannavò, currently playing in Italy with Cosenza Calcio. His inclusion underlines the coaching staff’s ongoing efforts to monitor Maltese players competing abroad and gradually integrate emerging talent into the senior setup.

The provisional selection also includes the return of several players absent from the previous international window. Jake Vassallo of Mosta F.C. has been recalled after maintaining strong club form, while Kean Scicluna also returns following his performances with Żabbar St. Patrick. Another notable inclusion is Matías García of Ħamrun Spartans F.C..

Malta will, however, be without experienced wing-back Ryan Camenzuli, who is unavailable through injury.

Provisional Malta Squad

Goalkeepers:
Henry Bonello (Ħamrun Spartans), Rashed Al Tumi (Sliema Wanderers F.C.), James Sissons (Chesterfield F.C.), Matthias Debono (Naxxar Lions F.C.).

Defenders:
Zach Muscat (G.D. Chaves), Juan Carlos Corbalan, Enrico Pepe (Marsaxlokk), Kurt Shaw (Hibernians F.C.), Jean Borg (Sliema Wanderers), Jake Vassallo (Mosta), Kean Scicluna (Żabbar St. Patrick), Gabriel Mentz (Gżira United F.C.), Aleandro Garzia (Birkirkara F.C.), Myles Beerman and Carlo Zammit Lonardelli (Floriana).

Midfielders:
Matthew Guillaumier (Ħamrun Spartans), Brandon Paiber (Valletta F.C.), Alexander Satariano (Athens Kallithea F.C.), Jake Azzopardi (Valletta), Matías García (Ħamrun Spartans), Teddy Teuma (Standard Liège), Adam Magri Overend (Sliema Wanderers), Jake Grech (Floriana).

Forwards:
Joseph Mbong (Ħamrun Spartans), Paul Mbong (Floriana), Ilyas Chouaref (FC Sion), Luke Borg (Tarxien Rainbows), Irvin Cardona (AS Saint-Étienne), Nicholas Agius (Żabbar St. Patrick), Basil Tuma (Reading F.C.), Kevin Cannavò (Cosenza), Nevin Portelli (Mosta), Keyon Ewurum (Torino F.C.), and Andrea Zammit (Valletta).