Malta Paintball is stepping up preparations for a historic moment in Maltese sport, with the national team set to represent the country at the UPBF World Championship Nations Cup for the first time this September.
The team’s preparations continued in the United Kingdom over the weekend, where Malta Paintball finished eighth out of 23 teams during the fourth round of the Central Premier Paintball Series (CPPS).
The competition took place in Penkridge, Staffordshire, on 15 and 16 August, with the result leaving Malta eighth overall in its division for the 2026 CPPS season.
Building Experience Ahead Of France
Competing overseas has presented its challenges, with player availability and travel logistics meaning Malta Paintball could not field a complete Malta-based roster for the latest UK round.
With support from UK-based players, however, the team secured its eighth-place finish while continuing to gain experience against established British opposition.
The CPPS campaign forms an important part of Malta Paintball’s preparations for international competition, providing tournament experience that is currently difficult to replicate locally.
The weekend also saw the competitive debut of Malta Paintball’s new red-and-white uniforms, featuring the Maltese cross and produced with the support of VisitMalta.
Those same colours will be worn when Malta takes to the field in Dreux, France, on 2 and 3 September 2026.
Manchester Rush Captain To Represent Malta
Malta’s squad has also received a boost with the confirmation that Manchester Rush captain Jay Guarino will join the national team for the Nations Cup.
Guarino brings experience from the UK tournament scene, with Manchester Rush securing second place at the latest CPPS event.
The Manchester-based player has Maltese family roots through his mother’s side, whose family name is Borg.
“Representing Malta in Dreux is a very proud moment for me and my family. My whole family on my mum’s side is Maltese, our family name is Borg, and Malta has always been my second home with a lot of happy memories there,” Guarino said.
He added that being included in the first team to represent Malta at the UPBF Paintball World Championship “means an awful lot”, with the squad preparing to face some of the world’s leading paintball nations.
A First For Malta
Malta will make its World Championship Nations Cup debut in Dreux on 2 and 3 September, becoming one of four countries making their debut in 2026 alongside Colombia, Denmark and Kuwait.
Malta Paintball President Chris Cioffi said the organisation’s CPPS campaign has focused on consistently getting Malta onto the competitive field, gaining experience and building for the future.
The ambition extends beyond September, with Malta Paintball looking to continue competing internationally while developing more regular tournament-style training and competition back home.
For Malta’s players, however, France will represent an important first: the Maltese cross appearing at the Nations Cup for the first time.
