Sponsor Logo

    Cymru vs. Kazakhstan | 2026 FIFA World Cup – European Qualifiers – Group J

    Live

        Live ReportMatch Summary

        1. Key Performer

          Vote for who you think was the key performer in this game by clicking on the link below. You could win a signed football.

          Vote now

          Cymru's Ben Davies celebrates his goal to make it 2-1 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, group J fixture between Wales & Kazakhstan at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 22nd of March

        2. Rabbi Matondo provides his reaction to coming off the bench to score his first Cymru goal.

        4. Craig Bellamy provides his post match reaction.

        6. Match Summary

          Cymru have taken the points in their opening match of the European Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup after Dan James, Ben Davies and Rabbi Matondo scored the goals to deny Kazakhstan.

          Craig Bellamy’s team controlled the majority of the match whilst playing positive attacking football.

          Dan James was a danger to the Kazakhstan defence and it seemed inevitable that he would be the person to break the deadlock. There was some fortune when the ball broke for him in the box after Cymru’s attack looked like it had broken down. However, his endeavour is what created the chance as he was alert to the ball coming to his feet to strike it into the net.

          Connor Roberts was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and following a lengthy VAR check, the decision stood. Askhat Tagybergen took the spot kick and was fortunate to see it go in as Karl Darlow got to the ball but despite it hitting him, it rolled over the line.

          A VAR check late in the half looked set to see Kazakhstan reduced to 10 players, however, after reviewing the VAR footage the referee decided to show Samorodov a yellow card.

          Cymru made a fantastic start to the second half when from a corner kick Sorba Thomas sent into the box, a powerful header from Ben Davies hammered the ball past Alexandr Zarutskiy.

          With Kazakhstan’s half-time team talk obliterated so early on in the second half, Cymru were desperate for a third goal and they were made to wait for it.

          Rabbi Matondo came off the bench to get on the end of Thomas’ ball into the box during the 90th minute to score his first goal for Cymru.

          Attentions now turn to Tuesday’s (25 March) game against North Macedonia, who beat Liechtenstein 3-0 in their opening match.

          Cymru National Team Manager Craig Bellamy give the fans the thumbs up at the end of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, group J fixture between Wales & Kazakhstan at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 22nd of March.
        8. 90' + 1'

          Goal

          MATONDO Rabbi

        9. 90' + 1'

          GÔL!!!

          There’s the goal Cymru have been waiting for as Thomas plays the ball into the box that’s converted by Matondo.

        10. 90'

          Goal

          MATONDO Rabbi

        11. 86'

          Substitution

          GALYMZHAN KENZHEBEK replaces ISLAM CHESNOKOV

        12. 86'

          Substitution

          MATONDO Rabbi replaces JAMES Daniel Owen

        13. 86'

          Substitution

          KENZHEBEK replaces CHESNOKOV

        14. 86'

          Substitution

          MATONDO Rabbi replaces JAMES Daniel Owen

        15. 80'

          There’s 10 minutes remaining to the match and Cymru are working hard for a third goal. Kazakhstan are struggling to muster an attack but they seem hopeful of something breaking for them.

        16. 74'

          Substitution

          DASTAN SATPAYEV replaces MAXIM SAMORODOV

        17. 74'

          Substitution

          ABAT AIMBETOV replaces AIBAR ZHAKSYLYKOV

        18. 74'

          Substitution

          SATPAYEV replaces ZHAKSYLYKOV

        19. 74'

          Substitution

          AIMBETOV replaces SAMORODOV

        21. 62'

          Substitution

          GEORGI ZHUKOV replaces SERIKZHAN MUZHIKOV

        22. 62'

          Substitution

          JAMES Jordan Anthony replaces BROOKS David

        23. 62'

          Substitution

          GEORGI ZHUKOV replaces SERIKZHAN MUZHIKOV

        24. 62'

          Substitution

          HARRIS Mark replaces JOHNSON Brennan

        25. 62'

          Substitution

          JAMES Jordan Anthony replaces BROOKS David

        26. 62'

          Substitution

          HARRIS Mark replaces JOHNSON Brennan

        27. 62'

          Substitution

          JAMES Jordan Anthony replaces BROOKS David

        28. 62'

          Substitution

          ZHUKOV replaces MUZHIKOV

        29. 61'

          Yellow card

          ISLAM CHESNOKOV

        30. 61'

          Yellow card

          ISLAM CHESNOKOV

        31. 61'

          Yellow card

          CHESNOKOV

        32. 47'

          Goal

          DAVIES Benjamin Thomas

        33. 47'

          Goal

          DAVIES Benjamin Thomas

        34. 47'

          GÔL!!!

          The corner comes in and Davies hammers a header into the back of the net. A perfect start to the second half.

        35. 46'

          Thomas forces a corner as he had three Kazakhstan defenders chasing him down the left.

        36. SECOND-HALF

          Cymru get the game back underway here at the Cardiff City Stadium. Neither team have made any half-time substitutions.

        37. Half-time Summary

          That was an eventful first half, goals, a penalty and VAR intervention.

          Craig Bellamy will be frustrated that his team go in level at half-time as they controlled the the first half and played some positive attacking football.

          Dan James was a danger to the Kazakhstan defence and it seemed inevitable that he would be the person to break the deadlock. There was some fortune when the ball broke for him in the box after Cymru’s attack looked like it had broken down. However, his endeavour is what created the chance as he was alert to the ball coming to his feet and then to strike it into the net.

          Connor Roberts was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and following a lengthy VAR check, the decision stood. Tagybergen took the spot kick and was fortunate to see it go in as Darlow got to the ball but despite it hitting him, it rolled over the line.

          A VAR check late in the half looked set to see Kazakhstan reduced to 10 players, however, after reviewing the VAR footage the referee decided to show Samorodov a yellow card.

          Wales’ Dan James celebrates his goal to make it 1-0 during the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, group J fixture between Wales & Kazakhstan at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 22nd of March
        38. 45' + 5'

          Kazakhstan have forced a corner at the end of added time but they’re really doing their best to slow everything down.

        39. 45'

          There are 4 minutes of added on time.

        40. 43'

          After that long delay, the momentum of the free kick award is gone and Williams hits the ball over the bar.

        41. 42'

          Yellow card

          MAXIM SAMORODOV

        42. 42'

          The referee is called to the monitor and after reviewing the VAR footage he shows a yellow card to Samorodov.

        43. 42'

          Yellow card

          SAMORODOV

        44. 40'

          There’s a VAR check in progress. Potential red card.

        45. 39'

          Cymru remain comfortable despite the setback and have a chance with a dangerously positioned free kick outside the box.

        46. 32'

          Penalty

          ASKHAT TAGYBERGEN

        47. 32'

          Darlow faces down the penalty but Tagybergen squeezes it past him despite it hitting his body. It’s 1-1.

        48. 32'

          Penalty

          TAGYBERGEN

        49. 31'

          Following a lengthy VAR check, the referee’s decision stands. Penalty to Kazakhstan.

        50. 29'

          Kazakhstan are awarded a penalty after the ball is hit at Roberts at pace. The referee believes he’s handled it.

        51. 27'

          Brooks breaks free to run at an understaffed defence, he attempts to play the ball into Sorba’s run but there wasn’t enough pace on the ball, allowing a defender to challenge.

        52. 26'

          Dangerous balls into the Cymru box see Kazakhstan in search of an equaliser but they give up their advantage with a foul on Roberts.

        53. 19'

          James appeared to be wiped out by a tackle in the box but play is waved on.

        55. 💪 James enjoyed that.

        56. 14'

          Kazakhstan having to deal with a lot of Welsh pressure here as Bellamy’s team force another corner. As the ball is played short before coming into the box, it’s headed wide by Rodon.

        57. Tîm 😁

          Cymru Team photo ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup European Qualifiers, group J fixture between Wales & Kazakhstan at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 22nd of March
        58. 9'

          Goal

          JAMES Daniel Owen

        59. 9'

          GÔL!

          Cymru have taken the lead. James causes all sorts of problems in the box and the Kazakhstan defence fail to clear the ball, surrendering control. It’s James’ shot that ends up deflecting off a defender to go past goalkeeper Zarutskiy.

        60. 8'

          Goal

          JAMES Daniel Owen

        61. 8'

          Cymru are back in control of possession and look dangerous on the attack, particularly through James who wins a corner.

        62. 5'

          Cullen heads the corner away but the visitors maintain their pressure until their attack is broken up by the Welsh defence.

        63. 5'

          Kazakhstan his Cymru on the break and Samorodov wins his team a corner.

        64. KICK OFF!

          Kazakhstan get the match underway.

        65. Craig Bellamy has spoken to Sgorio.

        66. Don’t miss out

          If you missed out on tickets for the Kazakhstan match, now is the time to register your interest for the Liechtenstein game. By signing up, we’ll make sure you get all information you need when tickets go on sale so you can be part of it next time.

          Click here to register your interest

          Register your interest for tickets to Cymru's next home World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein.

        67. David Brooks also starts tonight, whilst Ben Davies captains the team.

        68. Craig Bellamy has named Sorba Thomas in starting line-up.

        69. Here we go!

        70. Team news will be coming shortly.

        71. A packed Cardiff City Stadium is going to generate an incredible atmosphere as Cymru begin their qualifying journey for the FIFA World Cup.

        75. Bellamy embraces World Cup expectancy

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy never appeared at the finals of a major tournament during his own international playing career, but welcomes the expectation on his squad of players through what they have already experienced.

          “I can just sit back and let them do it,” explained Bellamy when he spoke to the media on Friday afternoon. “It’s so valuable. Their calmness with it as well, they’ve been there.”

          The qualifying campaign to the 2026 FIFA World Cup begins for Bellamy in Cardiff this evening against Kazakhstan, and with just a few tickets remaining, there will be another special atmosphere in the capital to support a team still undefeated under their new head coach.

          “But also the crowd,” Bellamy added. “They’ve been there as well. It’s so important because they’ve got to experience major tournaments. When we say ‘Together Stronger’, it’s everyone.

          “I expect expectations, I welcome them. I’d be concerned if we didn’t have them. I’ve never tried to play them down but, at the same time, we have to play our game, no matter what goes on.”

        78. Bellamy calls on players to enjoy the game

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy also spoke to the media in Friday afternoon ahead of the opening 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan.

          “We had a meeting on Monday about what we learnt from the Nations League campaign and its been about reinforcing those messages,” he explained. “I’ve been really impressed with them this week and I’m excited about what’s to come.

          “I want players to be to express themselves, and if you have the ball at your feet it will show a true version of you. We allow players to take responsibility. I want them to feel free to express themselves with the ball. Without the ball, you have to able to work for the team, and all these elements allow you to enjoy the ball. But if you cannot work without the ball, this is not the environment for you.”

          Bellamy also spoke about Saturday’s opponents and the qualifying campaign ahead. “It’s a tough game,” he added. “What we’ve seen of them doesn’t change my opinion. We know the goal, we know where we want to go to, but it won’t be done tomorrow night. We can’t look too far ahead because it can become overwhelming. It’s one step at a time, and that’s life, not just football. We have to take care of tomorrow.

          “Enjoy it, that’s the message. I wish I had enjoyed my career more. This is everything. If you cannot enjoy this, why would you put yourself in this position. Sometimes you get caught up in the games and competition for places and you forget how good this is. I’m grateful for this opportunity and grateful to be back at this level.”

        79. Davies excited for new campaign

          Defender Ben Davies sat down with the media on Friday as he once again prepares to lead the team out as captain on Saturday night.

          “It does feel different with a World Cup at the end of it,” said Davies. “To be back with this group of boys, we’re really excited, we’re aware of what’s at the end of the campaign and we’re looking forward to getting back on the pitch.”

          Davies was part of the Cymru squad that reached the 2022 FIFA World Cup but failed to make it through the group stages. “It’s something that sticks with me,” he explained. “It was disappointing in Qatar that we didn’t show on the world stage how good we can be, so the hunger is there to do it again.

          “Every game at international level is a tough game. Were aware of the expectations and we know that we have to be at our best to win this game. Its a cliché, but it’s just one game at a time. Were purely focused on Kazakhstan and the game on Saturday night.”

        81. Meet the Ref

          Donatas Rumšas will take charge of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier between Cymru and Kazakhstan in Cardiff on Saturday.

          The 37-year old from Lithuania refereed his first international match in 2019 as Norway claimed a 2-0 win against the Faroe Islands, and since then he has been a regular appointment on UEFA club and international fixtures.

          This season, Rumšas has taken charge of matches in the UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League together with the UEFA Nations League. His last international match was back in November as Portugal claimed a 5-1 win over Poland.

          Aleksandr Radiuš and Dovydas Sužiedėlis are the assistant referees while Manfredas Lukjančukas is the fourth official. Donatas Šimenas will be the VAR and he will be assisted by Orestas Abramavicius. All of the officials are from Lithuania.

        84. Long-awaited win for Kazakhstan

          Kazakhstan received a timely boost ahead of Saturday’s opening 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Cymru by claiming their first victory since November 2023.

          Goals from Maksim Samorodov and Askhat Tagybergen proved be the difference for Kazakhstan as they claimed a 2-0 friendly victory over Curaçao in Antalya on Wednesday evening

          Meanwhile, Cardiff City have confirmed that Cymru captain Aaron Ramsey has undergone hamstring surgery and will miss the remainder of the season.

        86. Williams highlights Cymru family mentality

          Cymru defender Neco Williams sat down with the media earlier this week and spoke about how the squad take care of new players coming into the senior environment.

          “For us lads who have played more games, any little advice we can give will definitely help them because we know how it feels,” said Williams. “It was exactly the same for me, any advice I could get from the older lads when I first joined definitely helped me.

          “It might not just be on the pitch stuff, it would be off the pitch stuff as well. Any new lads who come in are going to be new to camp, it’s new surroundings, new teammates, it could be a little bit much for them.”

          Still only 23-years old, Williams has been involved in the senior Cymru squad for the last four years and has established himself as a key player in the side, making 44 senior appearances and scoring four goals.

          “Our job is just to let them know that we’re a close, close team,” he added. “We’re kind of like a family here, so you don’t need to worry, you don’t need to be scared, or nervous. Just enjoy it.”

        88. Prepared

          The Cymru squad were back on the training ground this morning ahead of the first match of the new qualifying campaign.

          All 26 players in Craig Bellamy’s squad for the double-header against Kazakhstan and North Macedonia were taking part in the session at the team base.

          Tickets for the match against Kazakhstan at the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday can be purchased online here.

        90. Lawrence delight at Cymru return

          Tom Lawrence sat down with the media on Tuesday afternoon and spoke about his return to the national team for the first time in four years.

          “Sometimes I thought I wouldn’t play for Wales again,” Lawrence explained. “But this manager has been brilliant since he came in. He rang me when he first got the job and he’s kept in contact ever since. It was refreshing to hear him speak about how he wants to play and his philosophy. It was good on that front.”

          Now 31, Lawrence made his Cymru debut back in 2015, but missed out on a place in the squad for EURO 2016 through injury. “On the last day of training camp we had a game and I did my ankle ligament,” he explained. “So that was a bitter one to swallow. There was a divot in the pitch, I was sprinting and my ankle completely rolled.”

          However, following his last appearance in a friendly against Mexico in March 2021, Lawrence was not selected again under former head coach Rob Page and subsequently missed out on two major tournaments as Cymru qualified for the next EURO and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

          “I’d love to be a part of tournaments. It’s about looking forward and I think the manager has brought a whole new identity to Wales and it’s refreshing to see.”

          Click here to read more from Tom Lawrence on BBC Sport Wales

        92. James on tough challenges ahead

          Dan James sat down with the media at the Cymru team base on Tuesday afternoon to look ahead to the new qualifying campaign.

          “I think there’s always a big expectation and that expectation is there now,” James explained. “We know what we have to do to get there, we’ve been there before and we’ve just got to take that experience and bring it on to this campaign.

          “It’s never easy, it’s really tough. We’re going to go to some really tough places as well and we know what we’ve got to do. We believe we’re good enough, but we know we’ve got to go and show that on the pitch.”

        94. Preparations continue

          The Cymru squad were enjoying the Cardiff sunshine earlier today as preparations continue ahead of the opening 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan on Saturday.

          Tickets for the match at the Cardiff City Stadium can still be purchased online here.

        96. Bellamy on World Cup pain and inspiration

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy sat down with the media last week to reflect on his World Cup memories and the pain of missing out on an appearance on the world stage as a player.

          “I’ve got to be honest, we weren’t good enough to qualify,” he explained. “I never thought we were ever a team that was going to be able to qualify. Even if we had all the luck in the world, we still didn’t have enough quality, I don’t feel.”

          However, Bellamy was already seen a very different dynamic in the current squad. “I see a lot more,” he added. “And they proved that, they’ve done it before. That helps because they’ve got experience of qualifying. I just want to win this group but I can’t look that far ahead. I know you would love me to be able to say that but, I think if I live in the real world, it’s one step at a time.”

          Bellamy also reflected on his earliest World Cup memories and the players of that era who inspired him, and while Gary Lineker’s performances for England in 1986 sowed the initial seeds, it was the Italian duo of Roberto Baggio and Toto Schillaci in 1990 that set him on the path to the professional game.

          “That World Cup, at the time as a kid, I wasn’t sure which way I wanted to go,” Bellamy explained. “Did I want to be with my friends mostly? I knew that path wasn’t going to take me to being a footballer. I think spending a month watching nearly every game. It was ‘give me that, I want to be a footballer’.”

          Click here for the full interview on BBC Sport Wales

        99. The Road to the 2026 FIFA World Cup

          Cymru will start their journey towards qualifying for the biggest-ever FIFA World Cup this weekend when they kick-off the new campaign against Kazakhstan in Cardiff.

          A total of 48 nations will compete at the 2026 finals, an increase from 32 at the last World Cup in Qatar, with UEFA members making up 16 of the 48 competing nations. Cymru have been drawn in Group J alongside Belgium, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia and Saturday’s opponents Kazakhstan.

          The 12 group winners will qualify automatically for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico, with the 12 group runners-up entering a play-off to decide the remaining four places. The four highest-ranked teams from the last edition of the UEFA Nations League who do not finish in the top two of their group will also enter the play-offs.

          The increase in participating nations means that all six FIFA confederations will be guaranteed at least one nation at the finals when they take place between 11 June and 19 July next year. The three host nations qualify automatically and the 104 matches will be played across 16 host cities, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final taking place at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

          Cymru have previously qualified for the FIFA World Cup finals on two occasions. Their first appearance was in 1958 when Jimmy Murphy’s side reached the quarter-finals, but there would be a 64-year wait before Rob Page emulated the achievement by taking Cymru to the 2022 finals in Qatar where they failed to make it past the group stage.

          Tickets for the match against Kazakhstan can be purchased here.

        101. Squad arrivals

          The Cymru squad arrived at the team base on Sunday evening ahead of the opening two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Kazakhstan and North Macedonia.

          Cymru take on Kazakhstan in Cardiff on Saturday evening (19:45) and tickets are available to buy online here. The squad then head to Skopje on Tuesday night.

          Head coach Craig Bellamy remains undefeated since his appointment last summer and guided Cymru to promotion in the UEFA Nations League in his first campaign.

        103. Craig Bellamy’s World Cup qualifying goals

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy scored 19 goals during his international playing career, with two of those strikes in FIFA World Cup qualifying.

          Bellamy scored his third goal for his country in a 3-2 defeat to Norway in Oslo back in September 2001. Norway were 2-0 ahead at that time as Bellamy reduced the deficit, with two former Cymru managers involved in the build-up to the goal.

          Rob Page played a free-kick forward from his own half on 28 minutes. John Hartson won the ball in the area and played in Ryan Giggs, but his effort was saved and parried into the path of Bellamy to score.

          Bellamy’s next goal in World Cup qualifying for Cymru was his 17th in total and came against Finland in October 2009. Cymru were 1-0 down in Helsinki when David Vaughan crossed the ball for Bellamy to score from close range, but the home side would claim all three points with a 2-1 victory.

        104. First meeting

          This will be the first-ever match between Cymru and Kazakhstan as both nations look to make a positive start to the new qualifying campaign.

          Kazakhstan only became a UEFA member in 2002 having previously competed as a member of the Asian Football Confederation since 1992. Their first UEFA qualifying campaign was for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but it proved to be a difficult introduction as they earned just one point from 12 games, drawing 0-0 with Georgia in Tbilisi.

          It was one year ago today, 14 March 2024, that Kazakhstan registered their last victory as goals from Islam Chesnokov and Aleksandr Zuev earned the side a 2-0 friendly win over Turkmenistan in Dubai. Since then, they have drawn two and suffered 10 defeats in 12 games.

        106. Squad announcement

          Cymru head coach Craig Bellamy announced his squad on Wednesday for the opening two games of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

          Kazakhstan are the first opponents in Cardiff on Saturday, 22 March before the side head to North Macedonia the following Tuesday. Bellamy will be without five injured in players in Harry Wilson, Ethan Ampadu, Wes Burns, Rhys Norrington-Davies and captain Aaron Ramsey.

          “Rejigging the squad, it’s nothing uncommon,” said Bellamy when asked about the enforced absentees. “We’ve got good players. There will be players coming in, players going out, there’s no excuses and that’s why we used so many players in the last group of games, to be prepared for these scenarios. And we are prepared.”

          Tom Lawrence has been added to the squad for the first time since March 2021, while there is also a first senior call-up for 18-year old midfielder Kai Andrews who is currently on-loan at Motherwell from Coventry City.

          Tickets for the match against Kazakhstan can be bought here.

          Enter our competition before midnight on Sunday, 16 March and you could win two tickets for the match. Click here to enter.

        108. There is no live report available for this match

        Lineups

        Starting

          Substitutes

            Starting

              Substitutes

                Table

                P
                Gd
                Pts

                Match Info

                Stadium

                Date & Time

                Referee

                Fourth Official

                Assistant Referees

                Learn more from FA Wales

                Sign up to receive all things FAW, from team news, tickets, domestic, grassroots, to exclusive offers and prize draws.

                We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting your personal data – view our privacy policy by clicking here.