Hungary - Kazakhstan in Debrecen: a test that does not look like an ordinary friendly match
Hungary and Kazakhstan play on June 9 at 19:00 at Nagyerdei Stadion in Debrecen, in a match that on paper carries a friendly label, but for both national teams has very practical weight. Hungary under Marco Rossi wants to confirm that it can control matches against physically tough opponents while developing attacks with the ball at its feet. Kazakhstan under Talgat Baisufinov comes to its second away match in a few days, after the match in Armenia, and treats this duel as a final check before the competitive obligations in autumn.
For fans, the change of context is also important: the match was originally supposed to be connected with Kazakhstan, but it was moved to Debrecen, so Nagyerdei Stadion gets a national-team evening at the beginning of summer. That changes the tone of the match. Hungary will have a home atmosphere, a familiar stadium and stands that are close enough to the pitch for the pressure to be felt. Tickets for this match are in demand among fans because the national team does not play outside Budapest every time, and Debrecen welcomes evenings like this as a city event.
What is at stake for Hungary
Hungary enters this match as a team that wants to combine result and development. Rossi called up 29 players for the June campaign, including several younger candidates who can still fight for their place in the senior hierarchy. His message before the gathering was clear: a wider list does not mean a permanent ticket to the national team, but an opportunity for players to show themselves in training, physical tests and matches against Finland and Kazakhstan.
The biggest names remain the backbone. Dominik Szoboszlai is the captain and the player through whom Hungary most often seeks the first quality pass forward, Milos Kerkez gives speed and aggression on the left side, Willi Orbán holds the back line, while Roland Sallai and Barnabás Varga offer experience in the final third. Behind them comes a group of players such as Milán Vitális, Tamás Szűcs, Alex Tóth and Szabolcs Schön, who in a duel like this can get minutes that the coach remembers.
- Marco Rossi announced a list of 29 players for the June campaign.
- Among the goalkeepers are Péter Szappanos, Balázs Tóth, Áron Yaakobishvili and Ármin Pécsi.
- In defence, Willi Orbán, Milos Kerkez, Márton Dárdai and Bendegúz Bolla are important.
- In midfield, the influence of Dominik Szoboszlai, András Schäfer and Callum Styles is expected.
- The attack includes Barnabás Varga, Roland Sallai, Dániel Lukács, Zsombor Gruber and Szabolcs Schön.
Rossi particularly stressed that he expects a combative match against Kazakhstan. That is not a throwaway remark. Kazakhstan knows how to close the middle, wait for a mistake and seek transition through wingers or forwards who quickly attack space. For Hungary, therefore, the first task will be patience: not losing the ball in the middle third, not opening too much space behind the full-backs and not turning a friendly match into a game of nervous duels.
Kazakhstan arrives with a clear squad and a familiar idea
Talgat Baisufinov announced the final list of 25 players for the away matches against Armenia and Hungary. It includes three goalkeepers, a solid defensive core and several forwards who play outside the domestic league. Nuraly Alip from Zenit St. Petersburg is the most recognisable name in defence, while Maksim Samorodov and Galymzhan Kenzhebek from Akhmat Grozny are important for width and speed going forward. Islam Chesnokov, a player of Heart of Midlothian FC, is another profile that Hungary must not leave isolated one-on-one.
Kazakhstan recorded two home wins in March 2026: 2-0 against Namibia and 1-0 against the Comoros. Against the Comoros, Ramazan Orazov scored early, already in the 4th minute, which describes well what this national team likes: entering a duel quickly, exploiting a break in rhythm and then defending the lead without too much embellishment. Baisufinov called the June matches a dress rehearsal for autumn, so a casual approach is not expected from Kazakhstan.
- Kazakhstan's final squad for the June matches has 25 players.
- The goalkeepers are Temirlan Anarbekov, Aleksandr Zarutskiy and Bekkhan Shaizada.
- In defence, Nuraly Alip, Yan Vorogovskiy, Alibek Kasym and Sergey Malyy stand out.
- In midfield are Ramazan Orazov, Islambek Kuat, Dinmukhamed Karaman and Serikzhan Muzhikov.
- In attack are Dastan Satpayev, Maksim Samorodov, Galymzhan Kenzhebek, Islam Chesnokov and Roman Murtazayev.
For Hungary, the way Kazakhstan uses physical strength is especially important. Islambek Kuat brings experience and toughness in the middle, Alip can lead the back line in a low block, while Samorodov and Chesnokov provide verticality. If Hungary loses control of second balls, the match can turn into a series of set pieces, crosses and duels on the edge of the penalty area, which suits the visitors more than the hosts.
Form and head-to-head record
Hungary played two home friendly matches in March: it beat Slovenia 1-0 with a goal by Szabolcs Schön in the closing stages, and then drew 0-0 with Greece. These are results that say two things. Defensively, the team was stable, but in attack it is still looking for rhythm and the number of constructed chances that Rossi wants to see against opponents from a lower strength tier.
Kazakhstan enters the same period with two wins, but also with a longer context that is more mixed. In autumn 2025 it suffered a heavy defeat away to Belgium, then beat Liechtenstein 4-0, drew 1-1 away to North Macedonia and drew 1-1 against Belgium. Such a run shows a national team that can collapse under pressure from a stronger opponent, but also a national team that knows how to endure when the match becomes physical and closed.
The head-to-head record is short and balanced: two matches, one win each. Hungary celebrated 3-0 in Budapest in 2014, while Kazakhstan also in Budapest in 2018 caused a surprise with a 3-2 win. Because of that, this match has a little extra spice: Hungary does not enter only as the home favourite, but also as a team that has a reason to correct the last head-to-head result.
- June 7, 2014, Budapest: Hungary - Kazakhstan 3-0.
- March 23, 2018, Budapest: Hungary - Kazakhstan 2-3.
- Total in head-to-head meetings: 2 matches, 1 win for Hungary, 1 win for Kazakhstan.
- Goal difference in those two meetings: Hungary 5, Kazakhstan 3.
How the match could open
The most logical scenario is that Hungary takes the ball, while Kazakhstan closes the central corridor and waits for moments to break quickly. Hungary will try to use width, especially through Kerkez and the right side where Bolla, Sallai or other players can rotate depending on the line-up. Szoboszlai will be crucial in choosing the tempo: play that is too fast can open counterattacks, play that is too slow can help Kazakhstan remain compact.
The hosts will have to be careful with set pieces. Kazakhstan has height in the back line, and players such as Alip and Sergey Malyy can be dangerous when the match moves into the penalty area. On the other hand, Hungary has enough quality takers to turn every free kick from the left or right side into a serious situation. In matches like this, the first goal often changes everything: if Hungary takes an early lead, space opens up; if Kazakhstan survives the first half, nervousness moves into the stands.
For a fan at the stadium, it will also be interesting to watch the younger Hungarian players. Rossi expanded the squad precisely to see who can keep up with the intensity of the senior national team. That means the match is not reduced only to the result, but also to an audition: every appearance from the bench, every run won behind the defence and every reaction after a lost ball can influence the next squad list.
Nagyerdei Stadion and Debrecen as host
Nagyerdei Stadion is located at Nagyerdei park 12, in the greener part of Debrecen, north of the centre. The stadium opened in 2014 and has around 20,340 seats. It is not a huge arena in which sound disperses, but a compact stadium where support carries well across the stands. For a national-team match, that is an important difference: every louder reaction to a tackle, corner or spell of pressure can quickly turn into encouragement for the home team.
Debrecen is the second-largest city in Hungary and is practical for fans for a short football trip. The city centre is close enough for arrival to be combined with lunch, a walk and heading toward the stadium without rushing. Nagyerdei park around the stadium gives a different feeling from classic urban concrete approaches: more space to arrive on foot, but also enough reasons to head to the stadium earlier, especially if a larger number of spectators is expected.
Seats in the stands disappear quickly when the national team plays outside the capital. For fans from Debrecen, this is an opportunity to see Szoboszlai, Orbán, Kerkez and the others without travelling to Budapest, while for visiting and neutral spectators the stadium offers a clear, modern and easy-to-view setting.
- Stadium: Nagyerdei Stadion.
- Address: Nagyerdei park 12, 4032 Debrecen.
- Capacity: around 20,340 seats.
- Stadium opening: 2014.
- Simplest arrival by public transport: tram number 1 from the direction of the railway station and the centre.
Practical information for arrival
The smartest plan is to arrive earlier and not count on parking immediately next to the stadium. DVSC states that parking at the stadium is limited and that public transport is the simplest way to arrive. Tram number 1 connects the railway station area, the centre and the direction of Nagyerdei park, so for most travellers it is a better option than driving to the entrance itself.
If you are arriving by car, expect traffic around the stadium to intensify as kick-off approaches. In Debrecen there are above-ground and underground car parks, but on match day it is better to park more widely in the city and do the final part by tram or on foot. The stadium can also be reached on foot from the centre, but you should leave enough time, especially if you want to enter without rushing and avoid the last wave of fans at the checks.
- Arrive earlier because the approaches to the stadium fill up in the last hour before kick-off.
- To arrive from the direction of Nagyállomás and the centre, use tram number 1.
- Do not rely on parking right next to the stadium because the number of spaces is limited.
- Keep tickets and documents ready before arriving at the entrance control.
- For food and a longer stay, the city centre is more practical than the immediate surroundings of the stadium.
The exact time of gate opening for this match was not available in verified previews at the time of writing, so it is more reasonable to plan an earlier arrival rather than in the final minutes. It is worth securing tickets in time, especially if you are travelling from another city and want to avoid a scenario in which the better sectors are already occupied.
What atmosphere to expect
Debrecen knows how to respond to the national team. Rossi himself recalled that Hungary played against Israel in Debrecen in 2024 and that the atmosphere was strong. This time the opponent is not glamorous by name, but the match has a good fan rhythm: a summer slot, a stadium of around 20 thousand seats, the home national team and an opponent that will not come to play an exhibition.
The atmosphere will depend most on the beginning. If Hungary starts aggressively and quickly forces Kazakhstan into clearances, the stands will get involved quickly. If the visitors slow the match down, break the tempo with fouls and keep it 0-0, the crowd will have to be patient. That is exactly why this is an interesting test for the hosts: they need to win, but not panic if the goal does not come immediately.
Ticket sales for this match are under way, and for fans who want a national-team evening in a city that is not an everyday host of such matches, Debrecen is a very good opportunity. The best impression will probably be had by those who arrive earlier, pass through the park, enter the stand without rushing and catch the warm-up - because in such details one often best feels who is ready and who is still searching for the match.
Who to pay special attention to
Dominik Szoboszlai is the first point of Hungary's play, but not the only one. Milos Kerkez can change the rhythm on the left side with one run into space, Roland Sallai brings experience in the final third, while Barnabás Varga remains a forward who needs little space for a finish. If Szabolcs Schön comes on, his goal against Slovenia is a reminder that players from the second plan can also decide a match.
For Kazakhstan, Nuraly Alip is key for defensive stability. Ramazan Orazov is a player who can score from the second line, as he showed against the Comoros, while Maksim Samorodov and Islam Chesnokov give the visitors the most speed going forward. Dastan Satpayev is also interesting because of his age: he was born in 2008, and inclusion in the senior squad shows that Kazakhstan is not thinking only about the current result but also about the next cycle.
For Hungary, the ideal outcome will be a match in which the back line remains calm, the midfield controls loose balls, and the attack creates enough chances without unnecessary risk. For Kazakhstan, a good scenario is completely different: keep the match tight for a long time, attack set pieces, test the home full-backs behind their backs and wait for the pressure from the stands to turn into impatience.
Sources:
- MLSZ English - data were used on Hungary's squad for the June matches, statements by Marco Rossi, the preparation plan and the context of the matches against Finland and Kazakhstan.
- Kazakhstan Football Federation - data were used on the relocation of the match to Debrecen, Kazakhstan's final squad of 25 players and the preview of the away matches against Armenia and Hungary.
- ESPN - results were used for Hungary against Slovenia and Greece and Kazakhstan against Namibia and the Comoros in 2026.
- eu-football.info - the head-to-head record between Hungary and Kazakhstan was used, including the results from 2014 and 2018.
- DVSC and StadiumDB - data were used on Nagyerdei Stadion, capacity, address, opening, limited parking and the recommendation to arrive by public transport.
- Debrecen city / Visit Debrecen - data were used on local transport, the tram connection toward the Nagyerdei area and the general context of the city for visitors.