Why are Kairat Almaty playing in UEFA Champions League?

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :October 1, 2025 at 9:19 PM

Modified at :October 1, 2025 at 9:19 PM

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

The Kazakhstan club made history after qualifying for the UCL.

Since joining UEFA in April 2002, clubs from Kazakhstan and its national football team have participated in UEFA competitions. Kairat Almaty became just the second club from Kazakhstan to play in the Champions League.

The Independent Football Association of the Republic of Kazakhstan (FARK) was established following the dissolution of the USSR in 1992. In 1994, Kazakhstan became a member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA.

However, because part of their country is in Europe, the KFF pushed to join UEFA after FARK changed their name to the Football Federation of Kazakhstan (KFF) in 2000. KFF joined UEFA a year after leaving the AFC in 2001.

The KFF joined UEFA in April 2002. However, they couldn’t play their first UEFA match until the 2002 World Cup was over. Moreover they did not get the chance to qualify for Euro 2004 (since the draw happened before they arrived).

They have not qualified for a World Cup or European Championship since joining UEFA, although Kazakhstan’s first World Cup qualifying campaign was in 2006.

While Kazakh clubs have participated in UEFA club tournaments since the beginning of the 2002–03 season, the national team was not allowed to play an official UEFA match until September 2004.

Mbappé hat-trick in Almaty 😤#UCL pic.twitter.com/R3Sj6dFafI
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 30, 2025

Only two Kazakh teams have ever advanced to the actual competition stage of the Champions League, with Kairat Almaty becoming the second. Astana did it in the 2016–17 campaign.

Last month, Kairat lost 4-1 on the road to Sporting CP in their Champions League debut.

Astana have participated in seven seasons of European competitions across the Conference League, Europa League, and Champions League.

Kairat became just the second Kazakh club to participate in several UEFA competition’s league campaigns this season after making their debut in the 2021–22 Conference League.

How are Kairat Almaty playing in UEFA Champions League?

Part of their country is in Europe. The KFF pushed to join UEFA after FARK changed their name to the Football Federation of Kazakhstan (KFF) in 2000.

Which was the first Kazakhstan club to play in the UCL?

Astana was the first team from Kazakhstan to play in the competition.

Before UEFA, which competition did they play in?

Before UEFA, the clubs from Kazakhstan played in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA.

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Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.