Since 1953, FIFA defined an International 'A' Match as follows: An International Football Match A officially recognised by the Federation and subject to the provisions of Art.37 of the Statute shall be a match arranged between two National Associations who are members of the Federations and in which the home country fields its national representative team (Art.3 of the FIFA Regulations, 'Definition of Matches').

Hence, Malta's home matches vs Denmark XI (1958), vs Italy 'C' (1961), vs Italy U21 (1984), vs England 'B' (1987) and others are recognised by FIFA as International 'A' Matches.

At the FIFA Congress held on June 6th, 1990, the definition was amended to read as follows: An International 'A' match shall be a match that has been arranged between two National A Associations affiliated to the Federation and for which both Associations field their first national representative team.

Consequently, Malta's match vs Norway's Olympic Team in the Rothmans International Football Tournament played on 08.02.92 is not recognised as an International 'A' match in terms of the latest FIFA regulations.