The return-to-activity programme for the national squads kicked off on Sunday.

The players forming part of the senior squad, led by head coach Devis Mangia, reported for duty at the Malta FA Training Grounds on Sunday evening.

It was the first meeting for the national squad this year as the training sessions and matches during the March and June international windows were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mangia has named an extended squad for the return-to-activity programme. Spread over two weeks, the pre-season sessions are intended to aid the national team's preparations for their 2020-21 UEFA Nations League Group D1 campaign between September and November. Their opening fixtures are away to the Faroe Islands (3 September) and at home to Latvia (6 September).

The Malta Under-21 squad, under the guidance of coach Silvio Vella, held their first training session in the morning. The Under-21s will resume their UEFA Under-21 Championship qualifying campaign in September with home matches against Northern Ireland and Romania on the 4th and 8th of the month respectively.

All players and staff involved in the return-to-activity programme have done the COVID-19 swab test as part of a thorough health and safety protocol prepared by the Malta FA's medical team. The protocol comprises the preventive and safety measures recommended by the health authorities who set 1 July, 2020 as the return date for contact-sport training.