ALMATY – Paris Saint-Germain’s decision to open its first football academy in Kazakhstan this September is more than another international expansion for the French club. It reflects Kazakhstan’s growing attractiveness as a destination for elite youth football development, following a series of milestones that have elevated the country’s profile.
From L to R: Nadia Benmokhtar, PSG Diversification Director & CRO Chief of Staff and Almaz Alsenov, founder of PSG Academy Kazakhstan. Photo credit: PSG. Located in Astana, the new PSG Academy Kazakhstan will welcome up to 300 boys and girls aged six to 14 during its inaugural season.
Training will follow the official Paris Saint-Germain methodology, modeled on the club’s renowned youth academy in France and emphasizing technical excellence, game intelligence, discipline and teamwork. While the academy’s opening marks Kazakhstan as the 24th country in PSG’s global network, it also fits into a broader pattern that has accelerated over the past two years: the country is increasingly positioning itself not only as a participant in international football, but as a place where future talent can be developed.
A broader football ecosystem is taking shape The arrival of PSG follows several developments that together suggest Kazakhstan’s football strategy is evolving beyond isolated infrastructure projects or individual success stories. Earlier, Atlético Madrid announced the creation of its football academy at the Akbulak Olympic Center in the Almaty Region.
The project aims to introduce the Spanish club’s training methodology while improving the qualifications of Kazakh coaches and developing young players capable of competing at the highest international level. Institutionally, Kazakhstan also reached an important milestone when the Kazakhstan Football Federation’s national academy became only the ninth association in the world and the second UEFA member to receive official FIFA Talent Academy recognition.
The designation confirms that the country’s youth development system meets international standards and places Kazakhstan among a small group of national federations participating in FIFA’s global talent development initiative. From exporting talent to building pathways The growing interest from international clubs coincides with increased visibility of Kazakh football talent abroad.
Earlier this year, teenage player Dastan Satpayev completed a record transfer to Chelsea, becoming one of the country’s most promising young exports. Kazakhstan’s domestic football also enjoyed a breakthrough season. FC Kairat became the first Kazakh club to qualify for the UEFA Champions League group stage after eliminating Scotland’s Celtic FC in a dramatic penalty shootout in Almaty.
The club was later ranked among the world’s top 500 football clubs by the International Federation of Football History and Statistics (IFFHS), becoming the only Kazakh representative on the list.