Azerbaijan-born coach resigns from Kazakhstan national team

Kazakhstan’s national football coach Ali Aliyev, who was born in Azerbaijan, has resigned after the team’s heavy defeat to Belgium in a 2026 World Cup qualifier, Sports.kz reported.

“The defeat is my fault. I take full responsibility. I will write my resignation and inform the president as soon as I return,” Aliyev said.

Kazakhstan lost 6-0 to Belgium in Brussels on Sept. 7. Under Aliyev, the team played five World Cup qualifying matches, winning only once — against Liechtenstein (2-0) — and losing the other four.

Aliyev, 44, took charge of the national side in January, replacing Russian coach Stanislav Cherchesov. He previously managed clubs including Ordabasy, Kyzylzhar, Shakhter Karagandy and Zhenis.