Auckland FC midfielder Jake Brimmer has been called up to the Malta national squad for the first time.
Brimmer (27) is a former Australian age group international but he switched his allegiance this year, seeking to represent Malta, for whom he qualifies through his grandfather.
He’s been selected as part of a 28-player Malta squad to play Lithuania in a FIFA Men’s World Cup qualifier on Friday September 5, 2025.
Main photo: Jake Brimmer … selected for FIFA World Cup qualifer.
Malta are currently rated #168 in the FIFA men’s world rankings, while Lithuania are #143.
Malta then host San Marino (#210) in a friendly international at Ta’ Qali National Stadium on Wednesday September 10.
“This isn’t a decision based on me not getting picked for the Socceroos, or me not believing that I will get in the Socceroos,” he told A-Leagues.com.
“It was a decision that at this point in my life, it was an opportunity for me to be over in Europe.
“We play against good opponents and who’s to say that you don’t have a good game over there and and all of a sudden, you might find yourself in Europe again. So that was a decision that my family and I made, and I’m true by it.”
Malta are in the same World Cup qualifying group as Netherlands, Finland, Poland and Lithuania.
Previous A-League players to represent Malta include Manny Muscat (Wellington Phoeniix), John Hutchinson (Central Coast Mariners) and Trent Buhagiar (Newcastle Jets).
Before Brimmer links up with his national team, his Auckland FC side will play Heidelberg United in Saturday’s semi-final of the Australia Cup.
Fixture
Game to be played on Saturday August 30, 2025
Australia Cup
Semi-final 1
Heidelberg United v Auckland FC
Olympic Village, Melbourne, 9.30pm (NZT)
This story was first published on August 29, 2025.