World Cup 2026 qualifying: Your guide to Kazakhstan v Wales

Wales suffered a first defeat under Craig Bellamy in a 4-3 loss to Belgium in June

World Cup qualifier: Kazakhstan v Wales

Venue: Astana Arena, Astana Date: Thursday, 4 September Kick off: 15:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC One, iPlayer, BBC Radio Wales and Radio Cymru, the BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary.

Wales' attempt to qualify for a second successive World Cup continues with a 6,000-mile round trip to Kazakhstan on Thursday.

Craig Bellamy's nine-match unbeaten run as Wales boss ended in their last match - a dramatic 4-3 loss in Brussels.

But Wales still sit second in Group J, a point behind leaders North Macedonia, albeit having played two games more than third-placed Belgium.

Here is everything you need to know about the next round of qualifiers.

When is Kazakhstan v Wales?

Wales face Kazakhstan in their capital, Astana, on Thursday 4 September at 19:00 local time - that's 15:00 BST.

Around 1,000 Wales fans are expected to make the 3,000-mile journey.

The Astana Arena has a capacity of 30,000.

The two sides have only met once before, with Wales winning 3-1 in their opening match of this World Cup qualifying group.

How can I watch the game?

You can watch the game live on BBC One, iPlayer, the BBC Sport website and app.

Presenter Catrin Heledd will be joined by former Wales internationals Ashley Williams and Joe Ledley, with Simon Davies and Nia Jones commentating.

You can also listen live on BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru.

There will be exclusive insights and interviews in the run-up and post-match for fans on the BBC Sport website and app.

And on the eve of the match (Wednesday, 3 September), join Carl Roberts and guests on BBC iPlayer and BBC One Wales at 22.40 BST as Feast of Football goes inside the Wales camp.

What's happened in World Cup qualifying so far?

Wales had an excellent start under Craig Bellamy with two wins and a draw from their opening three games in Group J.

A 3-1 win over Kazakhstan at home was followed by a last-minute equaliser from David Brooks in North Macedonia.

After a 3-0 home win over Liechtenstein, Wales produced a stirring comeback from 3-0 down away to Belgium to level at 3-3.

But Kevin de Bruyne's late winner consigned Wales to a first defeat under Bellamy.

This all leaves Wales second in the group with seven points, a point behind North Macedonia.

Belgium are three points behind in third, but have played two games fewer after the Nations League finals delayed the start of their qualifying campaign.

Kazakhstan are four points behind Wales after one win and two defeats so far.

Liechtenstein prop up the group with three defeats from three.

Who's in the Wales squad?

Captain Aaron Ramsey has been left out.

The 34-year-old midfielder came off the bench last week for new club Pumas UNAM, playing his first minutes for the Mexican side since suffering a hamstring injury in Cardiff City's 2-1 victory over Luton on 11 March.

Leeds United skipper Ethan Ampadu is also absent after suffering a knee injury in their 1-0 Premier League win against Everton in mid-August.

Rubin Colwill misses out on a call-up despite impressing for Cardiff in their unbeaten start to the season in League One and the EFL Cup.

But Bluebirds team-mates Dylan Lawlor and Ronan Kpakio are included, with Coventry City midfielder Kai Andrews the third uncapped player in Bellamy's 25-man squad.

What has Craig Bellamy said?

The Wales boss said the decision to leave out Ramsey was mutual.

"He hasn't played enough football over a period," he said.

"It wouldn't be fair to call him up, travel the distance, the time difference [from Mexico to Wales] and then travel to Kazakhstan, and expect him to play any part of it after being out for so long.

"The injury, particularly with a hamstring injury, it wouldn't be responsible from us to do that or expect anything from him.

"I speak to him a lot. The idea with him is to get minutes, get training and back to just playing football."

Explaining Colwill's omission, Bellamy said: "I have to be honest, he was very close.

"His brother [Joel, in the Wales Under-21s squad] as well. I've been impressed by the both of them.

"I want to see more. I want that consistency."

What else do we know about Kazakhstan?

Well, they're currently ranked 114th in the world by Fifa.

The highest they have ever been is 83rd, in 2016. Wales are ranked 31st.

After their 3-1 defeat by Wales in March, Kazakhstan went on to win 2-0 in Liechtenstein. They then lost 1-0 to North Macedonia on home soil in June.

Wales will be hoping for a better result in Kazakhstan than Celtic recently managed, as Kairat Almaty became only the nation's second team to reach Champions League with a dramatic win on penalties.

Who else do Wales play in September?

The nature of a five-team qualifying group means that in this international break Wales play just one qualifying match.

The following week - on Tuesday, 9 September - they play a friendly against Canada at the Swansea.com stadium.

Once again you can watch it live on the BBC.

Coverage begins on BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer from 19:30 BST and BBC Radio Cymru and Radio Wales from 19:00 BST.