Malta to Host Eswatini for Friendly on November 12
The international friendly will take place at the Ta' Qali National Stadium to help Malta prepare for a UEFA Nations League match.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Soccer
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Malta will face Eswatini in an international friendly match scheduled for 12 November 2026. The game is set to take place at the Ta' Qali National Stadium with a 6:30 pm kick-off.
Why it matters
This match serves as a crucial opportunity for the Maltese side to test squad depth and tactical readiness ahead of their upcoming UEFA Nations League fixture against Gibraltar. A win in that subsequent competitive match would guarantee Malta promotion to League C.
Malta currently holds 7 points from 3 matches in Group D1, while Gibraltar sits at 2 points and Andorra at 1 point. The friendly pits the 160th-ranked Maltese team against the 164th-ranked Eswatini side.
The players
Malta Football Association
This is the governing body responsible for overseeing football operations and organizing international matches for the Malta national team.
Zdravko Logarusic
He is a professional football manager who previously served as the head coach of the Eswatini national team until his departure in September 2025.
The details
The Malta Football Association confirmed the fixture through its official social media channels to facilitate team preparation. This encounter provides a final run-out for Malta before they transition to their competitive schedule on 16 November 2026.
Timeline
September 2025: Zdravko Logarusic departed as Eswatini head coach.
12 November 2026: Eswatini plays Malta in an international friendly at 6:30 pm.
16 November 2026: Malta plays Gibraltar in a UEFA Nations League match.
Season Trajectory
The match serves as a tactical bridge for Malta as they look to secure a promotion path defined by the UEFA Nations League promotion criteria. Successful execution in this friendly could provide the momentum needed to finalize their standing in Group D1 during their November campaign.
Malta's performance in this friendly will directly influence their tactical setup for the high-stakes match against Gibraltar on 16 November 2026. A win in the competitive match is required for Malta to achieve promotion to League C.
The takeaway
Friendly matches act as essential testing grounds for managers to experiment with new players without impacting competitive standings. Fans looking to follow the progress of these teams should monitor the UEFA Nations League table to see how these preparations influence final promotion results.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming international fixtures, visit the Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times of Swaziland.
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