This is a game Kazakhstan absolutely cannot afford to lose. Let’s be honest. When you’re sitting fourth in your World Cup qualifying group with only three points from five games, every match becomes life or death.
Kazakhstan will host Liechtenstein at the Astana Arena on Friday in another round of their UEFA 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, and for the home side, this is basically their last chance to keep playoff hopes alive.
For Liechtenstein? They’re already out. The visitors have already been eliminated from qualification but will look to give their fans something to cheer about by getting a rare result this midweek. Here’s everything you need to know about this Group J clash.
Match Details
Detailed Information Competition UEFA World Cup Qualifying - Group JMatchday7DateFriday, October 10, 2025 Kick-Off Time 10:00 AM ET Venue Astana Arena, Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan TV Coverage Check local listings
Current Group J Standings
Both teams are struggling, but in very different ways.
Kazakhstan:
- Position: 4th place
- Points: 3 (from 5 games)
- Goals Scored: Only three goals across their five games
- Recent Form: Lost 6-0 to Belgium
- FIFA Ranking: 118th A Guide to OTA Commission Rates in 2025
Liechtenstein:
- Position: Last place (5th)
- Points: 0 (from 5 games)
- Goals Scored: Zero goals in five games
- Goals Conceded: 19 goals in just five games
- FIFA Ranking: 204th
Head-to-Head History
These two teams barely know each other. The sides have only met once in their history, with their March 2025 meeting ending in a 2-0 victory to Kazakhstan.
That first meeting happened earlier this year in Liechtenstein. Kazakhstan won comfortably, and they’ll be expected to repeat that result at home.
Recent Form: Both Teams Struggling
Kazakhstan’s Nightmare: Kazakhstan were completely blown out of the water in their last game as they fell to an embarrassing 6-0 defeat against Belgium last time out to mark their fourth loss from five games played in the qualifiers.
Six. Zero. At home. That’s the kind of loss that shakes a team’s confidence completely.
Liechtenstein’s Disaster: It’s been even worse for the visitors. Liechtenstein suffered a humiliating 5-0 defeat against group leaders Macedonia in their last outing.
And here’s the brutal truth: The visitors have lost each of their last eight games across all competitions A Guide to OTA Commission Rates in 2025.
Eight straight losses. Zero goals scored in the entire qualifying campaign. This is a team in serious crisis.
What’s at Stake?
For Kazakhstan: Everything. The Hawks currently sit in fourth place in the group and will need to get at least a point on Thursday and hope results elsewhere favour them to avoid effective elimination from the qualifiers
A loss here? Their World Cup dream is basically over.
For Liechtenstein: Pride. That’s it. They’re already out, but nobody wants to finish a qualifying campaign without a single goal or point.
Historical Context
Here’s a stat that puts everything in perspective: Neither team have ever qualified for a FIFA World Cup in their history.
Kazakhstan has never tasted World Cup football. Liechtenstein has never even come close. This campaign is following the same painful pattern for both nations.
Here’s what the experts are predicting.
Match Prediction
Let’s look at the betting odds and predictions:
Win Probability:
- Kazakhstan win: 58.48% chance – best odds of 1.17
- Draw: 17.42% chance – highest odds of 8.4
- Liechtenstein win: 24.1% chance – best odds of 23
Expert Prediction: Prediction: Kazakhstan 2-0 Liechtenstein
Betting Tips
TipPredictionReasoningResultKazakhstan WinAlthough the Hawks are in poor form, they remain strong favorites going into Friday's game due to the difference in squad quality Total Goals Under 2.5 Goals Three of the hosts' last four competitive games have produced fewer than 2.5 goals Both Teams to Score No Both sides have found the back of the net in just one of the visitors' last 10 matches.
Key Factors to Watch
1. Home Advantage Kazakhstan desperately needs the Astana Arena crowd behind them. After that 6-0 humiliation against Belgium, their fans will be hoping for a morale-boosting win.
2. Liechtenstein’s Goal Drought Zero goals in five qualifying games. That’s not just bad luck—that’s a serious offensive problem. Can they finally break through?
3. Defensive Fragility Liechtenstein has conceded 19 goals in five games. That’s nearly four goals per match. Kazakhstan should have plenty of chances.
4. Pressure Management Kazakhstan knows they can’t afford any slip-ups. But pressure can do funny things to a team. Will they stay calm or crack under the weight of expectation?
The Bottom Line
This should be straightforward for Kazakhstan. They’re playing at home against the weakest team in the group. On paper, it’s three points waiting to be collected.
But football doesn’t always follow the script.
Kazakhstan’s confidence is shattered after that Belgium mauling. Their attack has been toothless all campaign. And desperate teams sometimes do desperate things.
Liechtenstein has nothing to lose. They’re already eliminated. Sometimes that freedom can be dangerous.
Still, the gulf in class is too big. Kazakhstan are currently ranked 118th in the FIFA World Rankings, while Liechtenstein are ranked 204th
Expect a tight, nervous first half. But Kazakhstan should eventually wear down Liechtenstein and secure a 2-0 or 3-0 victory.
The real question isn’t whether Kazakhstan wins—it’s whether this win comes too late to save their qualifying campaign.
Tune in Friday at 10:00 AM ET to find out. For more information visit Net Sports 247.
