Kyrgyzstan national football team

Early years

Until the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Kyrgyz football players played for the USSR national football team. After Kyrgyzstan gained independence on August 31, 1991, the national team was created. Kyrgyzstan played its first match on August 23, 1992, in the Central Asian Cup [ru] against Uzbekistan in Tashkent. The match ended in a 3-0 victory for Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan eventually finished in fourth place. The team was scheduled to play against Turkmenistan on July 16, 1992, but the match was cancelled due to the absence of the Turkmenistan team. In 1993, Kyrgyzstan participated in the 1993 ECO Cup in Iran, but failed to advance past the group stage.

In 1994, the Football Federation of Kyrgyzstan was admitted as a full member of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA. The team participated in the Uzbekistan Independence Cup, finishing in last place. The team did not play any matches in 1995, and in 1996, they participated in the 1996 AFC Asian Cup qualification, finishing in second place in their group and failing to advance. In 1997, Kyrgyzstan participated in 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification, but was eliminated in the first round after finishing second in their group.

In 1999, Kyrgyzstan played in 2000 AFC Asian Cup qualification, but finished in last place in their group. The team participated in the 2000 WAFF Championship, but again finished in last place. In 2001, Kyrgyzstan participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification, but was eliminated in the first round after finishing third in their group.

In 2002, the team did not play any matches, and in 2003, they participated in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup qualification, finishing in second place in their group and failing to advance. That same year, they also participated in the first round of the qualifying tournament for the 2006 World Cup, advancing to the next round after defeating Pakistan in both matches. In 2004, Kyrgyzstan participated in the second stage of the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification, but finished in fourth place in their group.

AFC Asian Cup debut

In the years since, Kyrgyzstan has seen some success, participating in the 2010, 2014, and 2018 editions of the AFC Challenge Cup, finishing in third place in 2010 and as runners-up in 2014 . During the third round of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Kyrgyzstan was grouped with India, Myanmar and Macau in which they got 4 wins, 1 draw and 1 lost seeing Kyrgyzstan qualified to their first-ever major tournament in the 2019 edition of the AFC Asian Cup.^[3] In the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, Kyrgyzstan was drawn in Group C alongside China, Philippines and heavyweights South Korea. The team lost back to back to China and South Korea needing a desperate win against the Philippines in the last match to at least qualified to the knockout stage which Vitalij Lux scored a hat-trick gaining Kyrgyzstan their first ever win in their history of the tournament seeing them through to the Round of 16 facing United Arab Emirates. Throughout the match, UAE was leading at 2–1 where in the 90' minute stoppage time, Tursunali Rustamov scored a header from a corner kick to equalised the match at 2–2 sending it into extra time however their luck ran out as Ahmed Khalil scored a penalty seeing Kyrgyzstan out from the tournament. In the same year, Kyrgyzstan reached their highest-ever FIFA ranking of 75th.

In the 2023 Asian Cup qualification, Kyrgyzstan hosted all of the Group F matches being grouped with neighbours, Tajikistan and two Southeast Asia countries, Myanmar and Singapore. In the first match, the team bounced back from 1–0 down as Valery Kichin converted a penalty to level the score in the 77' minute in which Viktor Maier scored the winner in the 82' minute to secure the three points for Kyrgyzstan. In the next fixture, Viktor Maier scored a brace against Myanmar securing another three points for Kyrgyzstan before facing Tajikistan in a goalless draw in the final fixture seeing both team advancing to the 2023 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar.

In 2023, Kyrgyzstan alongside Uzbekistan hosted the inaugural 2023 CAFA Nations Cup.

2025

North Korea  v  Kyrgyzstan

5 June 2026 WCQ - 3rd round	North Korea	2–2	Kyrgyzstan	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
21:15 UTC+3	Pak Kwang-hun 44' Ri Jo-guk 52'	Report	Alykulov 57' Kim Sung-hye 90+5' (o.g.)	Stadium: Prince Faisal bin Fahd Sports City Stadium Attendance: 100 Referee: Adham Makhadmeh (Jordan)

Kyrgyzstan  v  United Arab Emirates

10 June 2026 WCQ - 3rd round	Kyrgyzstan	1–1	United Arab Emirates	Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
19:45 UTC+6	Merk 90+5'	Report	Abdalla 30'	Stadium: Dolen Omurzakov Stadium Attendance: 12,258 Referee: Ahmed Al-Ali (Kuwait)

Kyrgyzstan  v  Turkmenistan

30 August 2025 CAFA Nations Cup	Kyrgyzstan	1–1	Turkmenistan	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
17:00 UTC+5	Kojo 45'	GSA Report	Jumaýew 44'	Stadium: JAR Stadium Referee: Sajëçon Zajniddinov (Tajikistan)

Oman  v  Kyrgyzstan

2 September 2025 CAFA Nations Cup	Oman	2–1	Kyrgyzstan	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
17:00 UTC+5	Al Sabhi 90+1', 90+5'	GSA Report	Kozubayev 24'	Stadium: JAR Stadium Referee: Hasan Akrami (Iran)

Uzbekistan  v  Kyrgyzstan

5 September 2025 CAFA Nations Cup	Uzbekistan	4–0	Kyrgyzstan	Tashkent, Uzbekistan
19:30 UTC+5	Mozgovoy 20' Shukurov 67' (pen.) Sergeev 82' Turgunboev 90+3'	GSA Report		Stadium: Olympic City Stadium Referee: Sadullo Gulmurodi (Tajikistan)

2026

Kyrgyzstan  v  Equatorial Guinea

25 March Friendly	Kyrgyzstan	0–1	Equatorial Guinea	Antalya, Türkiye
17:00 UTC+3		Report	Josete 40' (pen.)	Stadium: Emirhan Sport Complex Referee: Cihan Aydın (Turkey)

Kyrgyzstan  v  Madagascar

28 March Friendly	Kyrgyzstan	2–5	Madagascar	Belek, Türkiye
17:00 UTC+2	Almazbekov 58' (pen.) Köçkönbaev 62'	Report	Randrianantenaina 5' Fontaine 17' Caddy 24', 79' (pen.) Couturier 42'	Stadium: Calista Sports Center Referee: Kadir Sağlam (Turkey)

2027

Syria  v  Kyrgyzstan

9 January 2027 Asian Cup GS	Syria	v	Kyrgyzstan	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
--:--				Stadium: King Fahd Sports City Stadium

Kyrgyzstan  v  Iran

13 January 2027 Asian Cup GS	Kyrgyzstan	v	Iran	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
--:--				Stadium: Al Shabab Stadium

Kyrgyzstan  v  China

18 January 2027 Asian Cup GS	Kyrgyzstan	v	China	Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
--:--				Stadium: Kingdom Arena

Coaching history

As of match played September 2025

More information Manager, From ...

Manager	From	To	Record
			G	W	D	L	Win %
Meklis Koshaliyev	August 1992	February 1996	15	1	3	11	006.67
Yevgeniy Novikov	June 1997	February 2001	19	4	1	14	021.05
Nematjan Zakirov	March 2003	March 2006	12	4	2	6	033.33
Boris Podkorytov	March 2006	December 2006	6	3	0	3	050.00
Nematjan Zakirov	January 2007	December 2008	12	4	0	8	033.33
Anarbek Ormonbekov	January 2009	May 2011	13	3	3	7	023.08
Murat Jumakeev	May 2011	September 2012	3	0	0	3	000.00
Sergey Dvoryankov	September 2012	May 2014	6	3	1	2	050.00
Mirlan Eshenov (caretaker)	May 2014	October 2014	3	0	0	3	000.00
Aleksandr Krestinin	October 2014	3 April 2023[5]	61	27	10	24	044.26
Štefan Tarkovič	24 April 2023[6]	12 June 2024	19	6	4	9	031.58
Maksim Lisitsyn	13 June 2024	27 June 2025	10	2	2	6	020.00
Urmat Abdukaimov (caretaker)	27 June 2025	10 December 2025	3	0	1	2	000.00
Robert Prosinečki	10 December 2025		0	0	0	0	!—
Total			182	57	27	98	031.32

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Current squad

The following players were called up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC third round matches against Uzbekistan and Qatar on 20 and 25 March 2025, respectively.^[7]

Caps and goals correct as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Iran.

More information No., Pos. ...

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Erzhan Tokotayev	(2000-07-17) 17 July 2000 (age 25)	32	0	Şanlıurfaspor
13	1GK	Artem Pryadkin	(2001-09-18) 18 September 2001 (age 24)	0	0	FC Bishkek City
16	1GK	Kurmanbek Nurlanbekov	(2004-04-01) 1 April 2004 (age 22)	1	0	Dordoi Bishkek
	1GK	Aziret Ysmanaliev	(2005-10-24) 24 October 2005 (age 20)	0	0	Alga Bishkek
	1GK	Sultan Chomoev	(2003-01-20) 20 January 2003 (age 23)	0	0	Abdysh-Ata Kant
2	2DF	Esenbek Uson uulu	(1996-06-29) 29 June 1996 (age 29)	0	0	Neftchi Kochkor-Ata
3	2DF	Tamirlan Kozubaev	(1994-07-01) 1 July 1994 (age 31)	63	2	Persita Tangerang
4	2DF	Magamed Uzdenov	(1994-02-25) 25 February 1994 (age 32)	4	0	Abdysh-Ata Kant
5	2DF	Arslan Bekberdinov	(1999-08-27) 27 August 1999 (age 26)	1	0	Dordoi Bishkek
6	2DF	Khristiyan Brauzman	(2003-08-15) 15 August 2003 (age 22)	25	2	Abdysh-Ata Kant
8	2DF	Valery Kichin	(1992-10-12) 12 October 1992 (age 33)	52	5	Bars Issyk-Kul
14	2DF	Aleksandr Mishchenko	(1997-07-30) 30 July 1997 (age 28)	25	0	Dordoi Bishkek
17	2DF	Ulanbek Sulaymanov	(2002-10-08) 8 October 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Ozgon
18	2DF	Kayrat Zhyrgalbek uulu	(1993-06-13) 13 June 1993 (age 32)	78	4	Bars Issyk-Kul
	2DF	Said Datsiev	(2003-04-10) 10 April 2003 (age 23)	3	0	Bars Issyk-Kul
9	3MF	Beknaz Almazbekov	(2005-06-23) 23 June 2005 (age 20)	15	0	Rukh Lviv
11	3MF	Kimi Merk	(2004-07-06) 6 July 2004 (age 21)	13	1	Dordoi Bishkek
12	3MF	Baybol Ermekov	(2005-09-08) 8 September 2005 (age 20)	0	0	Alga Bishkek
19	3MF	Ermek Kenzhebayev	(2003-04-03) 3 April 2003 (age 23)	9	0	Bars Issyk-Kul
22	3MF	Gulzhigit Borubayev	(2000-04-22) 22 April 2000 (age 26)	0	0	FC Minsk
23	3MF	Erbol Atabaev	(2001-08-15) 15 August 2001 (age 24)	16	0	Abdysh-Ata Kant
	3MF	Eldiyar Zarypbekov	(2001-09-14) 14 September 2001 (age 24)	12	1	Chayka Peschanokopskoye
	3MF	Adilet Kanybekov	(2002-11-25) 25 November 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Perak
	3MF	Alimardon Shukurov	(1999-09-28) 28 September 1999 (age 26)	36	6	Torpedo-BelAZ
	3MF	Amir Zhaparov	(1994-02-25) 25 February 1994 (age 32)	3	0	Muras United
	3MF	Arlen Sharshenbekov	(2000-01-18) 18 January 2000 (age 26)	0	0	Asiagoal Bishkek
	3MF	Atay Dzhumashev	(1998-09-15) 15 September 1998 (age 27)	6	0	Muras United
	3MF	Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov	(1996-03-18) 18 March 1996 (age 30)	49	3	Dong A Thanh Hoa
7	4FW	Joel Kojo	(1998-08-21) 21 August 1998 (age 27)	23	10	Esteghlal
10	4FW	Gulzhigit Alykulov	(2000-11-25) 25 November 2000 (age 25)	40	5	Torpedo Moscow
15	4FW	Maksat Alygulov	(1998-04-25) 25 April 1998 (age 28)	1	0	Muras United
21	4FW	Kai Merk	(1998-08-28) 28 August 1998 (age 27)	20	2	Dordoi Bishkek
	4FW	Aybek Sukenaliev	(2002-01-29) 29 January 2002 (age 24)	0	0	Talant
	4FW	Mukhammad Karimov	(2000-06-12) 12 June 2000 (age 25)	0	0	Asiagoal Bishkek

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Recent call-ups

More information Pos., Player ...

Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club	Latest call-up
GK	Marsel Islamkulov	(1994-04-18) 18 April 1994 (age 32)	2	0	Abdysh-Ata Kant	v.  Iran, 19 November 2024
GK	Dastan Alybekov	(1997-08-17) 17 August 1997 (age 28)	0	0	Neftchi Kochkor-Ata	v.  Chinese Taipei, 26 March 2024
DF	Bektur Amangeldiyev	(1998-11-20) 20 November 1998 (age 27)	0	0	Talant	v.  Iran, 19 November 2024
DF	Baktay Taalaybek uulu	(1992-04-26) 26 April 1992 (age 34)	0	0	Muras United	v.  Iran, 19 November 2024
DF	Askarbek Saliev	(2002-10-08) 8 October 2002 (age 23)	0	0	Abdysh-Ata Kant	v.  Iran, 19 November 2024
DF	Suyuntbek Mamyraliev	(1998-01-07) 7 January 1998 (age 28)	13	0	Dordoi Bishkek	v.  North Korea, 15 October 2024
DF	Amantur Shamurzaev	(2000-01-25) 25 January 2000 (age 26)	6	0	Abdysh-Ata Kant	v.  Iran, 5 September 2024 PRE
DF	Azim Azarov	(1996-09-20) 20 September 1996 (age 29)	5	1	Abdysh-Ata Kant	v.  Iran, 5 September 2024 PRE
MF	Murolimzhon Akhmedov	(1992-01-05) 5 January 1992 (age 34)	23	0	Dordoi Bishkek	v.  Iran, 19 November 2024
MF	Nursultan Toktonaliev	(2004-01-13) 13 January 2004 (age 22)	0	0	Talant	v.  Iran, 19 November 2024
MF	Nurlanbek Sarykbaev	(2000-03-18) 18 March 2000 (age 26)	1	0	Abdysh-Ata Kant	v.  Iran, 19 November 2024
MF	Elkhan Budinov	(2001-06-27) 27 June 2001 (age 24)	0	0	Jiskra Ústí nad Orlicí	v.  Iran, 19 November 2024
MF	Adil Kadyrzhanov	(2000-07-14) 14 July 2000 (age 25)	4	0	Dordoi Bishkek	v.  Iran, 19 November 2024
MF	Temirbolot Tapaev	(2000-09-25) 25 September 2000 (age 25)	2	0	Alga Bishkek	v.  Iran, 5 September 2024 PRE
FW	Ernist Batyrkanov	(1998-02-21) 21 February 1998 (age 28)	36	3	Muras United	v.  Uzbekistan, 10 September 2024
FW	Nurdoolot Stalbekov	(2001-09-13) 13 September 2001 (age 24)	4	0	Alay	v.  Uzbekistan, 10 September 2024
FW	Nurbol Baktybekov	(2003-06-24) 24 June 2003 (age 22)	1	0	Dordoi Bishkek	v.  Uzbekistan, 10 September 2024
FW	Ryskeldi Artykbayev	(2001-04-09) 9 April 2001 (age 25)	2	0	Dordoi Bishkek	v.  Chinese Taipei, 26 March 2024
FW	Marlen Murzakhmatov	(2003-05-21) 21 May 2003 (age 22)	0	0	Dordoi Bishkek	v.  Chinese Taipei, 26 March 2024
FW	Nurislam Oruntaev	(2005-02-04) 4 February 2005 (age 21)	0	0	Ilbirs Bishkek	v.  Chinese Taipei, 26 March 2024
Notes PRE Preliminary squad standby.

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Most appearances

Kayrat Zhyrgalbek uulu is Kyrgyzstan's most capped player with 83 appearances.

Top goalscorers

Mirlan Murzayev is Kyrgyzstan's top scorer with 16 goals.

FIFA World Cup

More information FIFA World Cup record, Qualification record ...

FIFA World Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1930 to 1990	Part of  Soviet Union									Part of  Soviet Union
1994	Not a FIFA member									Not a FIFA member
1998	Did not qualify									6	3	0	3	12	14
2002										6	1	1	4	3	9
2006										8	3	1	4	11	12
2010										2	1	0	1	2	2
2014										2	0	0	2	0	7
2018										8	4	2	2	10	8
2022										8	3	1	4	19	12
2026										16	5	4	7	25	25
2030	To be determined									To be determined
2034
Total	–	0/7	–	–	–	–	–	–		56	20	9	27	82	88

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AFC Asian Cup

More information AFC Asian Cup record, Qualification record ...

AFC Asian Cup record										Qualification record
Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA		Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
1956 to 1988	Part of  Soviet Union									Part of  Soviet Union
1992	Not an AFC member									Not an AFC member
1996	Did not qualify									4	1	0	3	3	7
2000										3	0		3	3	11
2004										2	1		1	3	2
2007	Did not enter									Did not enter
2011	Did not qualify									2008 & 2010 AFC Challenge Cup
2015										2012 & 2014 AFC Challenge Cup
2019	Round of 16	15th	4	1	0	3	6	7		14	8	3	3	26	17
2023	Group stage	20th	3	0	1	2	1	5		11	5	2	4	23	13
2027	Qualified									6	3	2	1	13	7
Total	3/9	15th	7	1	1	5	7	12		40	18	7	15	71	57

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AFC Challenge Cup

More information AFC Challenge Cup record, Qualification record ...

AFC Challenge Cup record Qualification record Year Result Pld W D* L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA 2006 Third place 5 3 0 2 4 3 Invited 2008 Did not qualify 2 1 0 1 2 2 2010 Group stage 3 1 0 2 2 6 2 0 2 0 2 2 2012 Did not qualify 3 1 0 2 5 6 2014 Group stage 3 1 0 2 1 3 3 3 0 0 3 0 Total 3/5 11 5 0 6 7 12 10 5 2 3 12 10

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CAFA Nations Cup

More information CAFA Nations Cup record, Year ...

CAFA Nations Cup record
Year	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
2023	Fourth place	3	1	0	2	4	6
2025	Group stage	3	0	1	2	2	7
Total		6	1	1	4	6	13

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West Asian Championship

More information West Asian Championship record, Year ...

West Asian Championship record
Year	Result	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
2000	Group stage	3	0	0	3	0	8
Total		3	0	0	3	0	8

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ELF Cup

In 2006, Kyrgyzstan took part in the inaugural ELF Cup in Northern Cyprus. This competition was originally intended to be for teams that were not members of FIFA; however, the organisers extended invitations to both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, who were both represented by their national futsal teams.

More information Year, Result ...

Year	Result	Position	Pld	W	D*	L	GF	GA
2006	Semi-finals		5	2	1	2	11	8

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*Draws include knockout matches decided via penalty shoot-out.

Friendly

• Aceh World Solidarity Cup (1): 2017
• Three Nations Cup (1): 2021