The cities of Astana and Bayamon were in the spotlight as the first two rounds of FIFA Series 2026™ action got underway. In Kazakhstan, goals in either half helped the hosts ease past Namibia while US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico registered big wins, against American Samoa and Guam respectively.
Kazakhstan goals: Yan Vorogovskiy (13), Alibek Kasym (79)
It was defenders at the double as Kazakhstan made a winning start in Astana. Left-back Yan Vorogovskiy got the hosts off to a flying start with a 13th minute opener before central defender Alibek Kasym iced the win late on.
US Virgin Islands goals: Joshua Ramos (7), Toryn Penders (19, 20), Jannick Liburd (53), Jimson St. Louis (90+2 pen)
American Samoa goals: Alii Mitchell (80 pen, 82)
On the outskirts of San Juan, the US Virgin Islands raced out of the blocks and into a three-goal lead at the break. Teenage winger Toryn Penders, on his senior debut, grabbed two of those after an early Joshua Ramos strike.
Shortly after the resumption Jannick Liburd, who moonlights as a part-time model, made it four, finishing off a cross from the impressive fullback Jett Blaschka who ended the night with a pair of assists.
American Samoa were playing their first match outside of Oceania and late on they managed to score their first goals against non-OFC opposition as a 75-second brace from captain Alli Mitchell helped them finish on a fairly positive note.
Puerto Rico goals: Wilfredo Rivera (52, 61), Ricardo Rivera (57), Leandro Antonetti (76 pen)
Puerto Rico will be the US Virgin Islands’ opposition in Saturday’s final after they put on a second half clinic against Guam. Scoreless at the interval, the hosts raced into a three goal lead shortly after the hour with influential forward Wilfredo Rivera scoring two of those either side of a Ricardo Rivera strike.
A late Leandro Antonetti penalty sealed an impressive win for the hosts that ended the match with twin brothers, Sebastian and Andre Cutler on the pitch.
