Wales football fans have embarked on a unique and extensive journey for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, traveling to Kazakhstan for the first time—a destination far removed from their usual European fixtures. This marks Wales’ longest trip for a qualifier, covering a 7,000-mile round trip, with over 1,000 supporters making the trek to Astana, Kazakhstan’s modern capital city known for its striking but somewhat impersonal architecture. Fans like Gwilym Boore are embracing the adventure, planning to explore other Central Asian locations such as Almaty, Tashkent, Bukara, Kiva, and Samaran, using various modes of transport.

The trip offers a blend of cultural experiences, from horse riding to sampling local cuisine, highlighting the distinctiveness of this campaign compared to previous ones dominated by familiar European opponents like Belgium. Kazakhstan’s vast size and unique geography, spanning two continents, add to the novelty and challenge of the journey, making it a memorable chapter for even the most seasoned ‘Wales Away’ veterans.