Overview

• Kazakhstan vs Wales kicks off at 3pm on Thursday, 4 September, at the Astana Arena and is live on BBC One and S4C.
• Wales’ squad has been reshaped after late withdrawals including Joe Rodon (concussion protocols), Ethan Ampadu, Danny Ward, Nathan Broadhead and Jay DaSilva, with Tom King, Rhys Norrington-Davies and Joel Colwill called up.
• Craig Bellamy criticised the Astana Arena’s artificial surface, warning of increased post-match strain on players despite its FIFA certification.
• To manage the 3,000‑mile trip and four‑hour time difference, Wales left their Vale base a day early to acclimatise before their only full training session on site.
• Wales beat Kazakhstan 3-1 in March but lost 4-3 in Belgium in June; Kazakhstan are fourth in Group J on three points and have never qualified for a major tournament.