Wales faces Kazakhstan in a crucial World Cup qualifier. Wales are missing key players but will still be looking for the win. Kazakhstan will be hoping to get a draw.
Wales travels to Astana next week for a pivotal 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Kazakhstan. The Dragons, under the guidance of Craig Bellamy, are aiming to secure a vital victory that would significantly bolster their chances of reaching the finals. The match, set to take place at the Astana Arena on September 4th, promises to be a challenging encounter for both sides.
Kazakhstan, managed by Ali Aliyev, acknowledges the uphill battle they face in their quest for World Cup qualification. Positioned fourth in UEFA Group J, they trail behind leaders North Macedonia and second-placed Wales. While they understand they are not favorites to qualify, they will be determined to put up a strong performance on home soil and potentially upset the Welsh team. Their previous encounters have highlighted their struggles, including a 3-1 defeat against Wales in Cardiff.
Wales, on the other hand, has emerged as a formidable force in European football in recent years. Their qualification for the 2022 World Cup, coupled with their impressive runs at Euro 2016 and Euro 2020, demonstrates their growing stature. Craig Bellamy's squad is eager to capitalize on their current form and secure a spot in the 2026 World Cup. Currently sitting second in Group J, just a point behind North Macedonia, a win against Kazakhstan is crucial for their qualification ambitions. Their campaign began positively with a 3-1 victory over Kazakhstan, and they aim to replicate that success in Astana.
The Kazakhstan squad sees a blend of experience and emerging talent, with players like Mukhammedzhan Seisen, Temirlan Anarbekov, and Maksim Samorodov included. Manager Ali Aliyev has emphasized the importance of a cohesive team effort to overcome the challenges posed by Wales.
Wales, however, will be without key players such as Aaron Ramsey and Ethan Ampadu. Ramsey's absence is due to a lack of consistent playing time, while Ampadu suffered a knee injury. Despite these setbacks, Bellamy has expressed confidence in the squad's depth, with players like Dylan Lawlor and Ronan Kpakio ready to step up. Bellamy acknowledged Ramsey's situation, stating, "He hasn’t played enough football over a period... It wouldn’t be fair to call him up... the idea with him is to get minutes, get training and back to just playing football."
Several factors could influence the outcome of this match. Kazakhstan's struggles in front of goal, having scored only 3 goals in their World Cup qualifiers, contrasts with Wales' attacking prowess, with 10 goals in their campaign. However, Wales has also shown vulnerability in defense, conceding 6 goals. The previous match between the two sides saw Wales dominate possession and create numerous scoring opportunities, a pattern they will seek to repeat. The match will be played at the Astana Arena which may give Kazakhstan a slight advantage because of the home support.
Wales manager Craig Bellamy said before the match: "This match is very important in our quest to qualify for the World Cup. We respect Kazakhstan but believe we can get the victory."
Kazakhstan's manager Ali Aliyev said: "Wales is a strong team with a lot of talented players. We are ready for the challenge and are confident that we will put up a good performance."
Wales enter the match as favorites, but Kazakhstan will be determined to make things difficult for them. Wales have key players missing. A draw would be a good result for Kazakhstan.
The game promises to be a tough contest, and the team that takes their chances may carry the day. The match is scheduled to kick off at 3pm UK time.