Kyrgyzstan national football team facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kyrgyzstan

Nickname(s)	Ак шумкарлар (The White Falcons)
Association	Kyrgyz Football Union
Confederation	AFC (Asia)
Sub-confederation	CAFA (Central Asia)
Head coach	Maksim Lisitsyn
Captain	Kayrat Zhyrgalbek uulu
Most caps	Kayrat Zhyrgalbek uulu (78)
Top scorer	Mirlan Murzayev (16)
Home stadium	Dolen Omurzakov Stadium
FIFA code	KGZ
First colours Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current	95 4 (7 February 2019)
Highest	75 (April-May 2018)
Lowest	201 (March 2013)
Elo ranking
Current	140 21 (3 March 2019)
Highest	136 (January 2019)
Lowest	178 (February 2013)
First international
Uzbekistan 3–0 Kyrgyzstan  (Tashkent, Uzbekistan; 23 August 1992)
Biggest win
Kyrgyzstan 7–0 Myanmar  (Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; 10 October 2019)  Myanmar 1–8 Kyrgyzstan  (Osaka, Japan; 11 June 2021)
Biggest defeat
Iran 7–0 Kyrgyzstan  (Damascus, Syria; 4 June 1997)
Asian Cup
Appearances	3 (first in 2019)
Best result	Round of 16 (2019)
CAFA Nations Cup
Appearances	1 (first in 2023)
Best result	Fourth place (2023)
WAFF Championship
Appearances	1 (first in 2000)
Best result	Group stage (2000)

The Kyrgyzstan national football team represents the country of Kyrgyzstan in international football matches. They are known as the White Falcons (Ак шумкарлар). The team is controlled by the Kyrgyz Football Union and is part of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).

History of the White Falcons

Starting Out in Football

Before 1991, football players from Kyrgyzstan played for the USSR national football team. After Kyrgyzstan became an independent country on August 31, 1991, they formed their own national team.

Their very first match was on August 23, 1992. They played against Uzbekistan in Tashkent and lost 3-0. In 1994, the Football Federation of Kyrgyzstan officially joined the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and FIFA. This meant they could now compete in bigger international tournaments.

In the early years, the team faced many challenges. They tried to qualify for the 1998 FIFA World Cup and the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, but they didn't make it past the first stages.

Making Their Mark: The AFC Asian Cup

Kyrgyzstan's starting line-up against the Philippines at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, where they won their first-ever match in the tournament.

The Kyrgyzstan team started to get better in the 2010s. They played in the AFC Challenge Cup several times, even finishing third in 2010.

A big moment came during the qualifiers for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. Kyrgyzstan played really well, winning four matches, drawing one, and losing only one. This amazing performance meant they qualified for their first-ever major tournament: the 2019 AFC Asian Cup!

At the 2019 Asian Cup, they were in a tough group with China, the Philippines, and South Korea. They lost their first two games. But in their final group match against the Philippines, Vitalij Lux scored three goals, helping Kyrgyzstan win 3-1. This was their first win ever in the tournament! They made it to the Round of 16, where they played against the United Arab Emirates. It was a very close game, ending 2-2 after regular time. But in extra time, the UAE scored a penalty, and Kyrgyzstan was out of the tournament. Still, it was a fantastic effort!

In the same year, Kyrgyzstan reached their highest-ever FIFA ranking of 75th in the world.

Recent Games and Tournaments

In 2023, Kyrgyzstan qualified for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup again. They hosted their qualification group matches in Bishkek. They won against the Philippines and Myanmar, and drew with Tajikistan, which was enough to qualify.

Also in 2023, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan hosted the first-ever 2023 CAFA Nations Cup. This was a new tournament for teams in Central Asia.

Home Stadium

The Kyrgyzstan national football team plays its home matches at the Dolen Omurzakov Stadium in Bishkek. This stadium can hold up to 23,000 fans.

Coaching Staff

The team has a dedicated coaching staff to help them train and play their best.

Manager	Maxim Lisitsyn
Assistant manager	Igor Kudrenko
Coach	Arslan Kozubaev
Goalkeeping coach	Zakir Jalilov
Fitness coach	Bektur Batyrkanov
Executive director	Boltok Sagynbayev
Administrator	Azamat Alykulov
Medical	Nurbek Ismailov

Players of the Team

Current Squad Members

Here are the players who were recently called up for important matches in November 2024.

Caps (games played) and goals are correct as of November 19, 2024.

No.	Pos.	Player	Date of birth (age)	Caps	Goals	Club
1	1GK	Erzhan Tokotayev	(2000-07-17) 17 July 2000 (age 24)	33	0	Şanlıurfaspor
13	1GK	Sultan Chomoev	(2003-01-20) 20 January 2003 (age 22)	1	0	Abdysh-Ata Kant
16	1GK	Marsel Islamkulov	(1994-04-18) 18 April 1994 (age 31)	2	0	Abdysh-Ata Kant
2	2DF	Ulanbek Sulaymanov	(2002-10-08) 8 October 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Alay
3	2DF	Tamirlan Kozubaev	(1994-07-01) 1 July 1994 (age 31)	63	2	Eastern
4	2DF	Said Datsiev	(2003-04-10) 10 April 2003 (age 22)	3	0	Dordoi Bishkek
5	2DF	Arslan Bekberdinov	(1999-08-27) 27 August 1999 (age 25)	1	0	Dordoi Bishkek
6	2DF	Bektur Amangeldiyev	(1998-11-20) 20 November 1998 (age 26)	0	0	Talant
14	2DF	Aleksandr Mishchenko	(1997-07-30) 30 July 1997 (age 27)	26	0	Dordoi Bishkek
	2DF	Khristiyan Brauzman	(2003-08-15) 15 August 2003 (age 21)	25	2	Abdysh-Ata Kant
	2DF	Baktay Taalaybek uulu	(1992-04-26) 26 April 1992 (age 33)	0	0	Muras United
	2DF	Askarbek Saliev	(2002-10-08) 8 October 2002 (age 22)	0	0	Abdysh-Ata Kant
	2DF	Kayrat Zhyrgalbek uulu	(1993-06-13) 13 June 1993 (age 32)	78	4	Abdysh-Ata Kant
	2DF	Valery Kichin (captain)	(1992-10-12) 12 October 1992 (age 32)	52	5	Lokomotiv Tashkent
8	3MF	Murolimzhon Akhmedov	(1992-01-05) 5 January 1992 (age 33)	23	0	Dordoi Bishkek
9	3MF	Beknaz Almazbekov	(2005-06-23) 23 June 2005 (age 20)	15	0	Llapi
10	3MF	Gulzhigit Alykulov	(2000-11-25) 25 November 2000 (age 24)	42	5	Neman Grodno
11	3MF	Kimi Merk	(2004-07-06) 6 July 2004 (age 21)	13	1	Pakhtakor
12	3MF	Odilzhon Abdurakhmanov	(1996-03-18) 18 March 1996 (age 29)	49	3	Becamex Binh Duong
17	3MF	Eldiyar Zarypbekov	(2001-09-14) 14 September 2001 (age 23)	12	1	Chayka Peschanokopskoye
18	3MF	Nursultan Toktonaliev	(2004-01-13) 13 January 2004 (age 21)	0	0	Talant
19	3MF	Ermek Kenzhebayev	(2003-04-03) 3 April 2003 (age 22)	9	0	Slavia Mozyr
20	3MF	Nurlanbek Sarykbaev	(2000-03-18) 18 March 2000 (age 25)	1	0	Abdysh-Ata Kant
21	3MF	Kai Merk	(1998-08-28) 28 August 1998 (age 26)	20	2	Union Titus Pétange
22	3MF	Alimardon Shukurov	(1999-09-28) 28 September 1999 (age 25)	37	6	Torpedo-BelAZ
23	3MF	Erbol Atabaev	(2001-08-15) 15 August 2001 (age 23)	16	0	Abdysh-Ata Kant
	3MF	Elkhan Budinov	(2001-06-27) 27 June 2001 (age 24)	0	0	Jiskra Ústí nad Orlicí
	3MF	Adil Kadyrzhanov	(2000-07-14) 14 July 2000 (age 24)	4	0	Dordoi Bishkek
7	4FW	Joel Kojo	(1998-08-21) 21 August 1998 (age 26)	23	10	Dinamo Samarqand
15	4FW	Maksat Alygulov	(1998-04-25) 25 April 1998 (age 27)	1	0	Muras United

Top Players in History

Here are some of the players who have played the most games or scored the most goals for Kyrgyzstan.

Players in bold are still active with the national team.

Most Games Played

Kayrat Zhyrgalbek uulu is Kyrgyzstan's most capped player with 78 appearances.

Top Goal Scorers

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

Tournament Records

The Kyrgyzstan national football team has taken part in several important tournaments.

FIFA World Cup History

The FIFA World Cup is the biggest football tournament in the world. Kyrgyzstan was part of the Soviet Union team until 1990. They became a FIFA member in 1994.

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									5	3	0	2	12	11
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	To be determined									10	4	2	4	18	14
2030										To be determined
2034
Total	–	0/7	–	–	–	–	–	–		49	19	8	23	75	75

AFC Asian Cup History

The AFC Asian Cup is the main football competition for national teams in Asia.

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	0	3	3	11
2004										2	1	0	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	81	57

AFC Challenge Cup History

The AFC Challenge Cup was a football tournament for developing football nations in Asia.

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

CAFA Nations Cup History

The CAFA Nations Cup is a newer tournament for teams in Central Asia.

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

Other Tournaments

Kyrgyzstan has also played in other smaller tournaments:

• West Asian Championship: They played in the 2000 WAFF Championship, but didn't get past the group stage.
• ELF Cup: In 2006, Kyrgyzstan's futsal (indoor football) team played in the ELF Cup and reached the semi-finals.
• Friendly Cups: They have won the Aceh World Solidarity Cup in 2017 and the Three Nations Cup in 2021.

Images for kids

• 

  Kyrgyzstan's starting line-up against the Philippines at the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, where they won their first-ever match in the tournament.

• 

  Kayrat Zhyrgalbek uulu is Kyrgyzstan's most capped player with 78 appearances.

• 

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

See also

In Spanish: Selección de fútbol de Kirguistán para niños