Our prediction for this World Cup 2026 match:
Malta
Match Time & Date:
21/03/2025
20:45
Prediction: 1-1
Finland
Friday’s 2026 World Cup qualifier at Ta’Qali National Stadium pits together Malta and Finland, the two teams that meet for the first time since March 2018. Back then Finland rolled over Malta 5-0 in a friendly and Jacob Friis’ men are seen as favourites to win the upcoming World Cup qualifier as well. Both Gabriel Mentz and Joseph Mbong are available for selection as UEFA Nations League suspensions do not carry over to the World Cup qualifying games.
The Finns, on the other hand, are on a six-game losing run ahead of the trip to La Valetta. As Malta are tough to beat at home, we do not believe that Finland are capable of collecting more than one point from Friday’s encounter. A man to keep an eye on in the away team will be Palermo forward Joel Pohjanpalo, who has been scoring goals for fun in the Serie B of late.
Highlighted Team (Finland):
Finland national football team played their first international game before the World War 1. The Finns were beaten by fellow Nordic side Sweden (2-5) on October 22, 1911, but eleven years later they recorded their biggest ever win on the international stage.
Finland outclassed Estonia 10-2 in Helsinki and, speaking of their heaviest defeat, the team suffered a 13-0 loss to Germany in Leipzig during the World War II (1940). Finland national team became a member of FIFA back in 1908, but they have yet to qualify for the finals of the major tournament. The Finns did not participate in the European Championship finals as well, but several top-class footballers were part of their national football team in the past.
Former Liverpool ace Jari Litmanen scored 32 goals in 137 appearances for Finland and Sami Hyypia is yet another notable footballer who played for the Eagle-owls. The colour of Finland’s home kits is white, while they play their away games in blue shirts and blue shorts.
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