Finland vs Malta Prediction 14.11.2025 | WC Qualifiers

Even though their bid for a maiden World Cup appearance began on a promising note, collecting four points from their opening two matches, Finland now face the harsh reality that their long-awaited dream will likely have to wait for another cycle.

With just one win from their last three qualifiers — suffering two defeats along the way — the Eagle-Owls are not mathematically out of the 2026 World Cup race, but the path ahead demands nothing short of a minor miracle for them to steal the second-place spot currently occupied by Poland.

The situation is clear and unforgiving — Jacob Friis’ side sit third, trailing Poland by three points, with only one match left on their schedule, a must-win duel against Malta. Even victory, however, might not be enough, as they would also need the Eagles to crumble in their final two qualifiers, a scenario that seems increasingly unlikely.

To add even more emotion to their closing chapter, Finland’s all-time top scorer Teemu Pukki will bring his international career to an end after this November window, meaning the fixture against Malta will be his final dance in the blue and white.

As for the nation ranked 166th in the FIFA standings, Malta remain light-years away from their first-ever appearance at a major international tournament, a reality painfully reaffirmed throughout their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, which has delivered nothing short of another disappointment.

After six WCQ fixtures, the Hospitallers have scraped together a mere two points, both coming against fellow strugglers Lithuania, with the 1-1 draw in Kaunas standing as the only match in which they managed to hit the back of the net, while their defense has been carved open a staggering 16 times in the process.

Appointed earlier this year, Emilio De Leo finds himself walking a tightrope, with his sole victory in eight matches at the helm coming in a 3-1 friendly win over minnows San Marino back in September.

Heading into their penultimate qualifier, Malta will be without experienced midfield duo Teddy Teuma and Ryan Camenzuli, both serving one-match suspensions due to yellow card accumulation, though they will be eligible to return for the final group-stage battle against Poland.