Marat Omarov meets with UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin
During the discussion, Marat Omarov invited the UEFA President to visit Kazakhstan on an official visit. Aleksander Čeferin accepted the invitation and plans to make his first-ever trip to Central Asia as UEFA President in 2025.
One of the key topics of the meeting was the possibility of hosting a major European tournament in Kazakhstan. Among the potential options discussed were Kazakhstan’s bid to host the UEFA European Under-21 Championship and the UEFA Europa Conference League final in either Almaty or Astana.
Following the meeting, it was reported that UEFA fully supports various programs related to infrastructure development, youth football, the improvement of domestic tournaments, investment attraction, and the implementation of modern technologies in football management and player training.
The UEFA and KFF Presidents also discussed Kazakhstan’s national teams, the development of youth squads, and creating conditions for club competitiveness. Particular attention was given to integrating the best European standards into Kazakh football to enhance the training of players and coaches.
The performance of Kazakhstani representatives in international tournaments such as the Champions League, Europa League, and Conference League was also an important topic of discussion, as participation in these competitions helps improve the skills of Kazakhstani players and increases interest in football within the country.
As part of Marat Omarov's visit to Switzerland, he also met with the head of UEFA’s Referees Committee, Roberto Rosetti. The parties agreed to send a group of consultants to Kazakhstan, as well as to select and recommend a candidate for the position of Director of the KFF Refereeing Department.
Furthermore, a full agreement was reached on UEFA’s support for new KFF infrastructure initiatives within the "Hat-Trick" program.
It is worth noting that the cooperation between the Kazakhstan Football Federation and the UEFA Foundation will receive additional momentum in the field of social and inclusive projects. In particular, agreements were reached on joint initiatives for visually impaired children and children with special needs. UEFA will also provide full support for KFF projects aimed at developing women's football in Kazakhstan.
Following the visit, a four-year plan was approved to prepare Kazakhstan for hosting UEFA international tournaments.
This meeting is of great significance for Kazakhstan. Strengthening ties with UEFA will allow the country to be at the heart of European football processes and will undoubtedly contribute to enhancing the reputation of Kazakhstani football on the global stage.
The positive impact of Marat Omarov's visit to Nyon should soon be felt not only by Kazakhstani football officials but also by fans, youth academies, and football development centers.
