James Carragher proudly made his debut for the Malta national football team during a FIFA World Cup qualifying match against Finland, held on March 21, 2025, at the National Stadium. The promising defender, who plays for Wigan Athletic, was eager to represent Malta, a decision he described as a "no-brainer" due to his Maltese heritage. Carragher is the son of former England international Jamie Carragher and was awarded Maltese citizenship earlier this year.
In a match that ended in a narrow 1-0 defeat for Malta, Carragher, 22, contributed significantly to the defensive line, despite the disappointing result. "It was a really proud moment for me to make my first appearance for Malta," Carragher said. His grandfather, Paul Vassallo, who lived in Qormi, Malta, enabled this connection, as he was born on the island before moving to the UK. "I qualified for a Maltese passport as my father’s granddad was Maltese, and when the Malta FA approached me and asked if I was interested in playing for their national team, it was a no-brainer for me as it allowed me to play international football," he added.
The team, now under new coach Emilio De Leo, creates an exciting atmosphere as they are aiming to qualify for the World Cup, despite their FIFA ranking of 168th. The buildup to the match ignited hopes among fans of potential progress, buoyed by the addition of Carragher, who showcased solid performances, alongside fellow new recruit Ilyas Chouaref, another player who acquired Maltese citizenship through descent.
Chouaref, a winger and former France U19 international who currently plays in Switzerland’s top division with Sion FC, also made his debut in the same match. Critics of fielding players who are eligible due to their ancestry claim that it diminishes the opportunities for local players. This sentiment reflects a growing debate as Malta sees more foreign-born players join its ranks, including Teddy Teuma and Jodi Jones, who have also become eligible through descent.
while Carragher’s debut was significant, the match itself presented hurdles for the Maltese side, with a lack of finishing acumen evident throughout. "It was a disappointing result after we had performed so well," Carragher reflected after the game. "The lads told me that the team hadn’t played so well for a while, and the only thing missing was a goal. But I’m confident that there were a lot of positives on which we can improve." This optimism reflects an essential shift in the Maltese football narrative, as they seek to incorporate foreign talent to elevate their game collectively.
James Carragher's rise in football began at Liverpool's youth academy before moving to Wigan’s setup in 2017. Since his transition to the senior team, he has made 23 league appearances this season. Having the advantage of a strong sporting lineage, Carragher has the benefit of insights from his father, who is renowned for his football acumen. Before the match, Jamie posted on Instagram expressing pride in his son's international debut, despite the unfortunate loss: "Very proud of you, son, on your international debut. Didn’t deserve the loss."
As Malta prepares for their upcoming challenge against Poland, Carragher remains realistic yet hopeful. He stated, "Now we have a tough game against Poland coming up, but if we match the same amount of energy and determination shown against Finland, we can aspire for a positive result." The national team aims to cultivate a competitive spirit and leverage its emerging talents to make an impact during the qualifiers.
Notably, Carragher's experience in England’s third tier has honed his tactical awareness, which was crucial for his initial outing. "The lads made me feel welcome right from the start, and the coach gave me a lot of tactical information to ensure I adapt well to what is expected of me," he added. With Carragher’s growing stature in the squad and the pragmatic strategies of their new coach, Malta is keen on creating opportunities to progress further in international football.
This fresh cycle offers a chance for reflection and engagement, as the squad strives to optimize its potential. Furthermore, Carragher is likely to face formidable opponents like Poland’s Robert Lewandowski in the upcoming match, which promises to test both his individual skills and the cohesion of the newly enhanced Malta team.
In the broader context, as international football becomes increasingly dominated by players eligible through heritage, Malta is embracing this trend in a bid to uplift their program. There’s an acknowledgment that leveraging the best available talent—regardless of where they were born—is essential for the national team to elevate its performance and achieve greater goals. The team's strategic decision to include Carragher and Chouaref may pave the way for a new chapter in Maltese football.
