The 2026/27 Assikura Women’s League gets underway on Thursday evening, with defending champions Mġarr United beginning their title defence against Valletta at the Centenary Stadium.

Six teams will contest this season’s championship, which will be played over four rounds, with the team finishing top of the standings crowned champions.

One significant regulation change sees the number of foreign players permitted on the field increase from four to five. Two additional foreign players may also be included on the Official Match Report Form, provided they had not turned 21 before January 1 preceding the start of the season.

Mġarr enter the campaign as the team to beat after completing a treble last season and have already added another trophy to their collection this term.

Ryan Vella’s side defeated Swieqi United 4-1 last Friday to win the Assikura Women’s Super Cup for the first time.

The Greens also made history in European competition during the summer when they defeated Estonia’s Flora Tallinn 4-0 to register a memorable victory in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.

Mġarr have strengthened their squad with Uganda international Sylvia Kabene, formerly of Hibernians, French player Chaina Maizeroi and American forward Carlyn Presley.

Presley has already made her mark by scoring a hat-trick in the victory over Flora Tallinn.

However, one of Mġarr’s main players remains Malta international Yulya Carella, who was named MFA Player of the Year last season. Carella scored twice in the Super Cup victory over Swieqi to underline her importance to Vella’s side.

Ambitious Valletta strengthen squad

Valletta will provide Mġarr with their first test and the Citizens have been particularly active during the summer as they seek to challenge the established leading sides.

Italian Salvatore Mango, who previously worked with Napoli and Sampdoria Women, has been appointed coach.

Valletta have also recruited Maya Lucia following spells abroad, Malta goalkeepers Janice Xuereb and Patricia Ebejer, former Hibernians player Georgiana Mifsud and ex-Swieqi defender Jade Schembri.

Experienced players Claudette Xuereb and Ylenia Carabott have both come out of retirement, while the Citizens have also strengthened their squad with several overseas players, including recruits with experience in Italian football.

Swieqi look to bounce back

The remaining four teams begin their campaigns on Saturday, with last season’s runners-up Swieqi United facing Hibernians.

Dorianne Theuma’s Swieqi will be looking for a positive response after their Super Cup defeat against Mġarr.

The Owls have added several players during the summer, including Nicole Sciberras, Ileana Farrugia and Yolande Attard from Hibernians, together with Canadian Jasmine Burke.

Hibernians remain under the guidance of Martina Borg but have undergone a considerable squad overhaul.

The Paolites have recruited several overseas players, including Romania’s Szidonia Papp, Serbia’s Ivana Trbojevic, Canadian Jessica Emerton, Kenya’s Violet Wanjoyi and Mexico’s Liliana Magana.

Birkirkara face San Ġwann

The other opening-round fixture pits Birkirkara against San Ġwann.

Michael Mangion will coach the Stripes this season following significant changes to the squad, with Birkirkara placing particular emphasis on developing younger players.

Experienced captain Stephania Farrugia and midfielder Gabriella Zahra remain with the club, while American goalkeeper Lindsay Lamont has arrived to replace Janice Xuereb.

San Ġwann will again be coached by Denilson Borg as they seek to become more competitive this season.

They have recruited several promising Maltese youngsters while also adding overseas players to their squad.

Ghanaian defender Mariama Kasim and forward Naila Addo have been retained, while three Nigerian players have been recruited to strengthen the goalkeeping, midfield and attacking departments.

Mġarr and Valletta will raise the curtain on the new campaign at the Centenary Stadium on Thursday at 8.15pm.

Assikura Women’s League – Opening fixtures

Thursday
Mġarr United v Valletta – Centenary Stadium, 8.15pm

Saturday
Birkirkara v San Ġwann – Charles Abela Stadium, Mosta, 6pm
Swieqi United v Hibernians – Charles Abela Stadium, Mosta, 8.30pm