Malta, a tiny Mediterranean archipelago of just 520,000 people south of Sicily, competes in European football qualifying as a lower-tier UEFA member without realistic World Cup qualification prospects. Maltese football culture is deeply connected to English football — a legacy of British colonial rule — with most Maltese people passionately supporting English Premier League clubs alongside their national team.
| Appearances | 0 |
| Best Finish | Never qualified for World Cup |
| Last Appearance | Never qualified |
| 2022 Result | Did not qualify |
Malta's players compete in the Maltese Premier League and some find opportunities in English lower leagues, with a few reaching Championship or League One level in England.
Malta's non-qualification for FIFA 2026 reflects their realistic position — a small Mediterranean island nation whose football culture runs deep (the Maltese are passionate football followers, largely of English clubs) but whose player pool of 520,000 cannot match the depth of larger European nations. Maltese football's English-influenced culture means national team support often plays second fiddle to Premier League club allegiances.
Maltese fans are predominantly avid Premier League followers, making Group L's England the most passionately followed fixture of FIFA 2026 from a Maltese perspective. England vs Croatia as the Group L opener will be watched by virtually every Maltese football fan.
Follow FIFA 2026 on T Sports and Sony Sports in Bangladesh. Group L's England is the Maltese football fan's primary FIFA 2026 interest given the deep English football cultural connection.