Kazakhstan have won three of their last six qualification home matches. Wales have won only one of their last six qualifiers away from home, this a 2-0 victory in Latvia two years ago.
Kazakhstan vs Wales preview
Will Wales continue their positive start to World Cup qualification? Back on matchday one, these two nations met for the very first time, with Dan James breaking the deadlock early in Cardiff, only for Askhat Tagybergen to convert a controversial penalty on the half hour mark. Nevertheless, second half goals from Ben Davies and then Rabbi Matondo secured a 3-1 victory for the Dragons.
Three days later, Wales played out a very dramatic 1-1 draw with North Macedonia, going behind in the 91st minute in Skopje, only for David Brooks to bundle home a 96th minute equaliser. Craig Bellamy's side then steamrollered Liechtenstein 3-0 at home to start to June double-header, extending his unbeaten streak to nine games, but he has now suffered a first defeat as boss. Last time out, the Dragons found themselves 3-0 down to Belgium, it was seemingly game over after 28 minutes. However, three goals in 25 minutes from Harry Wilson, Sorba Thomas and then Brennan Johnson, against all odds, got it back to 3-3 in Brussels, the red wall were going crazy, but they could not hold on, with Belgium pinching the points right at the death at Stade Roi Baudouin.
If Wales harbour any hopes of taking first place in Group J, they'll probably have to beat Belgium at the Cardiff City Stadium next month, but require victories in all their other fixtures to keep pace with the Red Devils. More than 1,100 Wales supporters are making the 3,000+ mile journey to Astana for Thursday night's crucial fixture, so will their side claim victory a long way from home?
As for Kazakhstan, they cannot be taken lightly. Since that opening night defeat in Cardiff, Ali Aliyev's side have beaten Liechtenstein 2-0 in Vaduz, before suffering a disappointing 2-0 home defeat at the hands of North Macedonia last time out. Nevertheless, the Hawks were very competitive during Euro 2024 qualification, winning six of ten fixtures, beating Northern Ireland 1-0 both home and away, most memorably fighting back from 2-0 down to defeat Denmark at home.
Their performance in the Nations League, competing in League B last year, earned them a Euros play-off place, albeit a 5-0 annihilation in Athens at the hands of Greece showed their limitations. Nevertheless, on home turf, they are tough to beat, so Wales will have to work if they're to claim victory in Astana.
Kazakhstan vs Wales head-to-head record
- Matches Played: 1.
- Kazakhstan Wins: Zero. Draws: Zero. Wales Wins: 1.
Kazakhstan team news
Kazakhstan lack expirence in goal. Alexander Zarutsky donned the gloves in the reverse fixture in March, winning just his second cap, but Mūhammedjan Seysen will be between the posts here, just his fourth international appearance.
The entire squad either ply their trade in Kazakhstan or Russia, including captain Ashat Tağybergen, although he won't be involved here, having retired from international duty in June.
Kazakhstan predicted lineup vs Wales: (5-4-1): Seysen; Astanov; Malyi, Älıp, Kairov, Vorogovsky; Mūjyqov, Orazov, Chesnokov, Zainutdinov; Samorodov.
Kazakhstan player to watch vs Wales
Baqtiiar Zainutdinov of Dynamo Moskva is Kazakhstan's all-time leading goalscorer with 14. Five of these goals have been scored at the Astana Arena, albeit it's almost two years since he netted at international level, on target twice against Finland in Helsinki, so can he end this barren run?
Wales team news
Craig Bellamy travels without Connor Roberts, Ethan Ampadu, Aaron Ramsey and Rabbi Matondo, the latter a scorer in Brussels last time out. In a positive development, Danny Ward is playing regularly at club level for the first time in three years, having started all four of Wrexham's EFL Championship fixtures so far, thereby likely to get the nod over Karl Darlow in goal.
Out-field, Josh Sheehan is poised to partner Jordan James at the base of midfield, given Ampadu's absence, while Kieffer Moore is likely to lead the line, with an exciting attacking trio in-behind.
Wales predicted lineup vs Kazakhstan: (4-2-3-1): Ward; N Williams, Mepham, Rodon, Davies; Sheehan, J James, Wilson, Johnson, Thomas; Moore.
Wales player to watch vs Kazakhstan
Harry Wilson has scored six goals in his last seven international appearances, on target in Cardiff, Nikšić, Reykjavík and Brussels in the last 12 months, so can he add Astana to this list?
Kazakhstan vs Wales prediction
We're backing Wales to, just, get the job done at the Astana Arena, although this Thursday afternoon clash is unlikely to be free-flowing or thrilling for neutrals tuning in: Kazakhstan 1-2 Wales.
Kazakhstan vs Wales FAQs - World Cup qualifier
How to watch Kazakhstan vs Wales in World Cup qualification on TV channel?
Kazakhstan vs Wales in World Cup qualification will be available on the following TV channels;
- UK: BBC One & S4C
- USA: Fox Sports 2 & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
How to watch Kazakhstan vs Wales in World Cup qualification on live streaming?
Kazakhstan vs Wales in World Cup qualification will be available on the following streaming services;
- UK: BBCiPlayer
- USA: Foxsports.com & fuboTV
- Canada: DAZN Canada
What is the date and kick-off time for Kazakhstan vs Wales in World Cup qualification?
Kazakhstan vs Wales takes place on Thursday 4 September 2025, with kick off at 15:00 (BST), 10:00 (EDT) & 7:00 (PDT).