Cherchesov assessed Kazakhstan's draw for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Kazakhstan has been placed in Group J, where they will compete against teams from Belgium, Wales, North Macedonia, and Liechtenstein, as reported by Vesti.kz.

At this level, the draw plays a significant role. I am well acquainted with the Belgian national team – I have faced them in the qualifying tournament and at the European Championship. They are currently undergoing a transition. As for the teams from Wales and North Macedonia, I haven't seen them in action for a long time, so I can't provide a specific assessment yet. From the fifth pot, we drew the team from Liechtenstein. However, every opponent deserves respect, thorough study, and maximum effort to achieve victory. Let's see what our schedule looks like. I won't make any predictions; my focus is on my team. The most important thing is how well we can prepare and motivate them for the results, – said Cherchesov in an interview with the KFF press service.

At this level, the draw plays a significant role.

I am well acquainted with the Belgian national team – I have faced them in the qualifying tournament and at the European Championship. They are currently undergoing a transition.

As for the teams from Wales and North Macedonia, I haven't seen them in action for a long time, so I can't provide a specific assessment yet.

From the fifth pot, we drew the team from Liechtenstein. However, every opponent deserves respect, thorough study, and maximum effort to achieve victory.

Let's see what our schedule looks like. I won't make any predictions; my focus is on my team. The most important thing is how well we can prepare and motivate them for the results, – said Cherchesov in an interview with the KFF press service.

In the 2026 World Cup, Europe will be represented by 16 teams. Directly qualifying for the final stage will be 12 group winners, while four remaining spots will be contested in playoff matches involving 12 teams that finished second, as well as four teams that qualified through the Nations League.

The playoff matches will include 12 teams that finished second in their groups, along with the four best group winners from the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 who did not finish in the top two of the European qualifying group stage.

These 16 teams will be divided into four paths — four teams in each. The playoff tournaments will consist of single-match semifinals and finals, which will take place in March 2026.

The matches of the World Cup will be held in 16 cities across Canada, Mexico, and the USA. The final will take place in New York on July 19, 2026.