Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Netherlands
Match Time & Date:
10/06/2025
20:45
Prediction: 4-0
Malta
Following a routine 2-0 win over Finland, Netherlands will look to give fans yet another reason to celebrate when they take on Malta at Euroborg. The Oranje kicked off their 2026 World Cup qualifying in style and they are seen as hot favourites to win Tuesday’s clash as well. Head coach Ronald Koeman is expected to shuffle his pack, with all Justin Kluivert, Xavi Simons, and Stefan de Vrij pushing for a start. Malta, on the other hand, played out a goalless draw with Lithuania in their third group game.
The minnows, though, have yet to find the net in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers and we do not believe that they are capable of spoiling Netherlands’ party in Groningen. You should know that the Netherlands have emerged triumphant in each of the previous six meetings with Malta in all competitions. Malta forward Ylyas Chouaref is back from suspension.
Highlighted Player (Memphis Depay):
Memphis Depay is a Dutch winger who started his professional career at PSV Eindhoven. During the 2014/2015 Eredivisie campaign the pacey footballer was on Manchester United’s radar and on June 12, 2015 the Premier League club confirmed the signing of the Dutchman. Many people expected that he would impress in the 2015/2016 Premier League season, but the former PSV ace played below expectations for the Red Devils, scoring only two goals (one assist) during the season.
After playing only for league games for Man Utd in the 2016/2017 season, Memphis Depay was sold to Olympique Lyon on January 20, 2017. Depay signed a four-and-a-half year deal with les Gones for a fee of around £16 million. The Dutch winger was producing fine performances for Lyon in the 2016/2017 season; he scored five goals for the club, while providing eight assists for his teammates.
Memphis Depay made his senior debut for Netherlands on October 15, 2013 in a 2-0 win over Turkey. Depay did well to win the 2011 European Championship with Netherlands U17 team.
Highlighted Team (Malta):
Back in 1957 Malta played their first international match. The Falcons faced Austria in their debut on the international stage and they suffered a 3-2 loss to Das Team in front of home fans in Gzira. The Malta Football Association joined FIFA in 1959, while joining UEFA the following year and they have been competing in the qualifiers for the major tournaments since 1962.
The Knights of Malta have yet to participate at the finals of the showpiece tournaments, but they often claim major scalps in the qualifying matches. Malta recorded their biggest win (7-1) against Liechtenstein on March 26, 2008, but a win over Hungary in the Euro 2008 qualifiers is considered their biggest achievement.
Speaking of friendly games, it has to be noted that Malta did remarkably well to beat star-studded Ukraine in Graz on June 6, 2017, with Zach Muscat scoring the winner for the minnows. In December 1983 the Maltese suffered their heaviest loss as they were crushed by Spain 12-1 in Seville.
Finland
Poland
Latvia
Albania 
Serbia
Andorra
Argentina
Colombia
Brazil
Paraguay
