Goals flow as FIFA Series kicks off
There were big wins for US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on the opening day of FIFA Series 2026 action, while Kazakhstan also made a positive start.
- FIFA Series 2026 has commenced in Kazakhstan and Puerto Rico
- Hosts were too strong for Namibia in the Astana opener
- US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico win big to reach this weekend's regional final
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 2-0 Namibia
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 5-2 American Samoa
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 4-0 Guam
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.