Kazakhstan Phygital Football Team Names Spain, Mexico Among Top Rivals

Sports

Astana (TDI): Kazakhstan’s phygital football team is facing a strong field at the Games of the Future 2026, with players naming Spain and Mexico among top rivals.

Speaking on the Bügın Live program on Jibek Joly TV, Kazakhstan’s Nuralem Baidulla, Alisher Mukanali and Talgat Utebergenov discussed their preparations, ambitions and major rivals at the international tournament being held in Astana.

Baidulla, an amateur footballer from the Aktobe region, said the team had built its current level through experience gained at several international competitions.

“I’ve been doing esports for three years. I first saw Kazakhstan’s team at the BRICS Games in Kazan and became interested. I started playing cyberfootball, then we won the Kazakhstan Championship and later became winners of the Contenders tournament,” he said.

The team has combined tactical, esports and physical training in preparation for the Games, with players practising every stage of the competition and studying the playing styles of their opponents.

Baidulla, who also has a professional football background, said Kazakhstan had played a friendly match shortly before the tournament and continued preparations ahead of its opening fixture.

“We’re also analyzing other teams. Our first opponent is Brazil. A total of 16 teams are competing. Coaches are currently developing a game plan, and we’ll follow it,” he said.

According to the players, Spain and Mexico are the main favourites of the phygital football competition.

The Kazakhstan team also expressed confidence in the country’s growing cyberfootball potential, saying Kazakhstan could produce internationally recognised esports players in the future.

The Games of the Future 2026 opened in Astana on July 29 and will continue until August 9, bringing together clubs and athletes from around the world in phygital sports and esports competitions.