The head coach of the neighboring Kazakhstan national team, Ali Aliyev, highly praised the Uzbekistan national team's qualification for the World Cup for the first time. He recognized this achievement as a historic event not only for the Uzbek people but for the entire region as well.
“We sincerely congratulate Uzbekistan. This is the result of great effort and a reliable strategy. Such a result is a source of pride and honor for the whole nation,” Aliyev said in his statement.
The Kazakh specialist also emphasized the importance of participating in UEFA:
“Playing against world giants like France and Belgium is an opportunity to enrich our football experience, shape our game culture, and directly confront stars. Seeing players like Mbappe and De Bruyne at the Astana arena is a huge motivation for our youth.”
In his opinion, Kazakhstan has significantly elevated its football infrastructure, coaching potential, and competitiveness by participating in UEFA.
It is worth noting that Kazakhstan suffered a 1:4 defeat against the Belarus national team on June 5. Currently, the Kazakhs are competing for a spot in the World Cup in a group with Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, and Liechtenstein. The next match will be held on June 9 against North Macedonia.
