List of Malta international footballers

The Malta national football team represents the country of Malta in international association football and is controlled by the Malta Football Association (MFA), the local governing body of football which was founded in 1900.[1] The MFA became a member of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) in 1959 and a year later joined the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA).[2] Prior to that, on 24 February 1957, the team played its first official international match at the Empire Stadium against Austria, suffering a 3–2 defeat. The first goal was scored by Tony Cauchi.[3]

Michael Mifsud is Malta's most capped player and also the nation's record goalscorer

As of November 2019, Malta has played 402 international fixtures,[lower-alpha 1] winning 49, drawing 66 and losing 287.[5] The team's most frequent opponent has been Iceland, meeting the side 15 times, winning 3, drawing 1 and losing 11.[6] In global and continental competitions, Malta has competed in qualification groups for both the UEFA European Championship, since 1962, and the FIFA World Cup, since 1974, but has failed to qualify for any tournament finals.[2]

Michael Mifsud is currently Malta's most capped player, accumulating 142 appearances as of November 2019. He made his debut on 10 February 2000 in a 1–0 defeat against Albania. He broke the record previously held by David Carabott of 122 appearances on 15 November 2016 against Iceland.[7] Mifsud is also Malta's leading goalscorer with 41 goals as of November 2019. He surpassed Carmel Busuttil's record of 23 goals on 3 March 2010.[8]

Since 1957, more than 300 players have made at least one international appearance for the team.[9] Of these, six have achieved more than 100 caps. Carmel Busuttil was the first to reach this milestone on 6 February 2000 against Azerbaijan.[10]