Chetcuti Ganado’s inclusion marks a significant step in her progression, having featured with Malta’s U-19’s last year. She also brings experience from England’s youth setup and is currently part of Leicester City’s U-21 squad.
Coach Manuela Tesse’s selection maintains a strong core of experienced players while integrating youth prospects.
Malta will face Northern Ireland away on April 14 at Mourneview Park before hosting the return fixture at the Centenary Stadium in Ta’ Qali on April 18 (kick-off times for both matches: 7pm, Malta time).
After opening their League B campaign with challenging fixtures against Türkiye and Switzerland, Malta will aim to deliver disciplined, competitive performances in both matches.
Northern Ireland are expected to provide a physically and tactically demanding test, with Malta likely to rely on organisation, compactness, and efficiency in both phases of play.
Among the foreign-based players included, Kailey Willis arrives in form after scoring for Venezia in Serie B Femminile, Maya Lucia recently secured the league title in Cyprus with Apollon Ladies, while Lexine Farrugia impressed with a hat-trick in Roma Primavera’s 9-0 win over Parma.
Stephania Farrugia is also included despite missing Birkirkara’s cup semi-final against Swieqi United due to injury, on Saturday.
NI coaching change
Meanwhile, Northern Ireland will enter the double-header under new management, with Michael McArdle set to take charge of his first match on 14 April.
They currently sit third in the group after defeats to Switzerland and Türkiye and will be looking to respond with improved performances.
McArdle, who previously served as the Scottish FA’s Head of Elite Women’s Football and had a spell as Scotland interim head coach, has replaced interim manager Kris Lindsay.
He stated that “history and ambition” attracted him to the role and emphasised his aim to build a disciplined team that is brave in possession and relentless out of possession, while continuing to develop the emerging generation of players coming through the national setup.
McArdle has chosen a 23-player panel for the Malta double-header. His squad shows just two changes from interim boss Lindsay’s panel launched this qualifying campaign.
Hearts Women midfielder Joely Andrews is back in the Northern Ireland squad after missing last month’s World Cup qualifiers through injury.
Andrews, who has 33 senior caps, last played for her country in the two UEFA Women’s Nations League play-off games against Iceland back in October.
There’s also one new face in the squad in Linfield Women striker Cora Chambers, who previously played for Northern Ireland at U-19’s level as well as for a U-16’s development side.
The 22-year-old attacker joined the Blues from Sion Swifts Ladies in February 2024 and she was second top scorer in the country last season with 20 goals. In total she has scored 39 goals in 47 appearances for Linfield.
Not included this time are experienced defender Sarah McFadden, who drops to the standby list, and teenager Mia Moore, who will instead be part of the Women’s U-19’s squad competing in Euro qualifiers this month.
Other notable names in the squad are Jackie Burns – team mate of Maria Farrugia at Bristol City Women, Abbie Smith of Manchester City and Laura Rafferty of Rangers.
The two teams met during the 2024 League B edition with Malta securing a 0-0 draw in Belfast before losing 2-0 at the Centenary Stadium.
PROVISIONAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Maya Cachia (Hibernians), Raisa Costantino (Pro Palazzolo, Italy), Giulia D’Antuono (Mġarr United), Patricia Ebejer (Mġarr United).
DEFENDERS
Tammy Falzon (Swieqi United), Stephania Farrugia (Birkirkara), Jade Flask (Swieqi United), Alexandra Gatt (York City Ladies, England), Oceane Grange (Freedom, Italy), Emma Lipman (Genoa, Italy), Maya Lucia (Apollon Ladies, Cyprus), Emma Xuereb (Swieqi United FC).
MIDFIELDERS
Jana Barbara (Warbeyen, Germany), Brenda Borg (Mġarr United), Crista Chetcuti Ganado (Leicester City, England), Rachel Cuschieri (Genoa, Italy), Nicole Sciberras (Hibernians), Shona Zammit (Swieqi United).
FORWARDS
Leah Ayres (Hibernians), Haley Bugeja (Inter, Italy), Yulya Carella (Mġarr United), Lexine Farrugia (Roma, Italy), Maria Farrugia (Bristol City Women, England), Sara Saliba (Swieqi United), Kailey Willis (Venezia Calcio Femminile, Italy).