World Cup qualifiers 2026: Kazakhstan-Liechtenstein, likely lineups

In a group in which North Macedonia, Belgium and Wales are playing for qualification for the 2026 World Cup, Kazakhstan and Liechtenstein are playing instead to avoid last place, with the Kazakh national team having picked up three points so far and that of the little principality on the other hand not only losing all five matches played so far, but not scoring a single goal, while conceding nineteen goals.

The Kazakhstan Eagles, at least arithmetically, can still compete for a playoff spot, even though Belgium and Wales, currently paired in second place in Group J, are a full seven points away. Interim coach Talgat Baysufinov, however, has a lot at stake in Friday’s game and the remaining ones: good results could indeed convince the local federation to continue with him on the bench.

On the other hand, Liechtenstein wants to break what seems to be a curse: the last victory was the 1-0 win against Hong Kong in a friendly exactly a year ago, on October 10, 2024, while the last draw was three days later with Gibraltar (0-0). From there on, eight matches played and as many defeats, including the historic one at home against San Marino (3-1), which handed the Titans promotion to Nations League C.

Probable lineups

KAZAKISTAN (3-4-2-1): Seisen; Kasym, Malyi, Alip; Astanov, Khalmatov, Orazov, Vorogovskiy; Samorodov, Kenzhebek; Omirtaev. C.t. Baysufinov.

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LIECHTENSTEIN (3-5-2): Buchel; Goppel, Beck, Hofer; Wolfinger, Luchinger, Hasler, Sele, Ospelt; Notaro, Saglam. C.t. Fünfstück.