Gozo Representative Football Team

The Gozo representative football team () represents the island of Gozo, Malta, in football. It is organised by the Gozo Football Association and its home stadium is the Gozo Stadium.

It is not affiliated with FIFA or UEFA and therefore is not eligible to enter either the World Cup or the European Championship. The Gozo representative football team has however played a number of Non-FIFA international football matches featuring players who are considered as 'Gozitans' for matches of the Gozo Football League, including appearances at Island Games and, by virtue of Gozo's membership of the N.F.-Board in the past, two appearances at the now-defunct Viva World Cup, with one being as hosts. In December 2024, Gozo became a member of the Confederation of Independent Football Associations.

Moreover, as of 2024, Gozo has also participated in 6 editions of UEFA Regions' Cup as Malta's representative, with their debut appearance coming in the inaugural edition in 1999.

Over the years, a Gozo XI has also played friendlies against football clubs; particularly those from the mainland, fielding players playing in the Gozo Football League and, occasionally, Gozitans playing in Malta.

History

Historical records suggest that a team representing the island of Gozo had already played two matches long before the turn of the millennium. Indeed, during the 1970s a side representing Gozo was invited to join in Malta's Independence celebrations and play two friendly matches against local sides. Other historical records indicate that a Gozitan team might have played more matches before that period. Indeed, the first ever match for a Gozitan representative team came in January 1937, where a Gozo XI faced Tarxien Rainbows in a friendly match played at the then Silver Jubilee Stadium.

For a period, a Gozitan representative team also played in the Maltese FA Trophy, but the Gozo Football Association's decision to organise Gozo F.C. and have it play in the Maltese football league system, eventually led to a lengthy hiatus of the Gozo representative team. Indeed, the next known Gozitan appearance came in 1999, when a selection representing Gozo played in the first edition of the UEFA Regions Cup. Ten years later, in 2009, the Gozo representative football team debuted in the Viva World Cup by playing in the 2009 Viva World Cup. In the following year, Gozo hosted the 2010 edition of the Viva World Cup and therefore, once again, Gozo had the opportunity to participate in that Cup. Overall, Gozo's performance was disappointing as they finished at the bottom of their group but the team could find solace in their win against Provence, their first ever win on the field against international opponents. Gozo's appearance in the 2010 Viva World Cup was, however, their last appearance in the now-defunct competition.

The launch of the Gozo Cup during the same year presented an opportunity for the representative side to play friendly matches against Maltese football clubs. The Gozo Cup ran for four consecutive years, and during that period the Gozo representative also played a number of friendlies, including their 17–1 victory against the Raetia national football team in Xewkija.

Since then, Gozo's appearances primarily came at the UEFA Regions' Cup. Indeed, the Gozitan representative football team appearance in the 2017 edition of the bi-annual UEFA Regions Cup marked Gozo's participation in, and hosting of, the tournament for the third edition running. They also participated in the subsequent edition, the 2019 edition.

In 2022 Gozo joined the Island Games Association and this made the Gozo representative football team eligible to participate in the biannual multi-sport event's football tournament. This marked Gozo's return to the international fuora following a hiatus of over a decade. In 2024, it was announced that the Gozitan representative football team will participating in both men's and women's football competitions in the 2025 Island Games.

Non-FIFA international football

Tournament records

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At VIVA World Cup

At

Island Games

Match history

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Players

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Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2023 Island Games by coach Mark Buttigieg.

''Caps and goals correct as of 20 June 2023''

Individual statistics

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*Players who represented both Malta and Gozo
**Ferdinando Apap
**Shaun Bajada
**Daniel Bogdanovic

Non-FIFA international football – Women

Tournament records

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At VIVA World Cup

At

Island Games

Results

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Individual statistics

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*Players who represented both Malta and Gozo
** Emma Xuereb

UEFA Regions Cup

Tournament History

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Results

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Gozo XI - Selected non-international matches

FA Trophy

Friendlies and tournaments

References

External links

Official site of the Gozo Football Association

{{UEFA Regions' Cup

Football in Gozo
European national and official selection-teams not affiliated to FIFA
UEFA Regions' Cup teams