Founded 1914/1992 UEFA affiliation 2002 | FIFA affiliation 1994 President Erlan Kozhagapanov | |
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The Football Federation of Kazakhstan (Kazakh: Қазақстанның Футбол Федерациясы, Qazaqstannıñ fwtbol federacïyası; Russian: Федерация Футбола Казахстана, Federatsiya futbola Kazakhstana) is the governing body of football in Kazakhstan. It organizes the football league, the Kazakhstan Premier League, and the Kazakhstan national football team. It is based in Almaty.
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Previous names
History
The Football Federation Kazakhstan was founded in 1992 with the reorganization of the Soviet Republican Football Association of the Kazakh SSR (created in 1989). The same year (1992) the Football Association of Kazakhstan became an associate member of FIFA and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) (or in 1993). Its foundation marked the beginning of organising the Kazakh football according to international standards. F.F.K. has developed into the biggest sport federation of the country, football in Kazakhstan being regarded as the "king of sports", occupying first place in sport fans' preferences.
In 1992, the federation conducted various professional level competitions, such as the national league championship and the cup. While being an associate member, the Football Federation of Kazakhstan was not permitted to participate in official international competitions for national teams, therefore in mid to late 1992 and April 1994 it participated in regional competitions along with its former Central Asian companions of the Soviet Union from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. In 1994 the F.F.K. was finally accepted as a full member of FIFA and the AFC. The decision to join the AFC was taken after a vote. The first national team match with a team outside of Central Asia took place in December 1995. The same year Oleg Litvinenko, representing Kazakhstan, was recognized as the best Asian player (for the month of October).
In 2000, the Football Federation of Kazakhstan became a candidate member of UEFA and obtained its full membership a couple of years later.
In 2008, the federation established a major U-17 tournament, the Kazakhstan President Cup. Spain won it in 2014 and 2015.