The club football calendar continues to pause for national team matches in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Pafos, the upcoming opponent of Kairat on matchday three of the UEFA Champions League, has sent seven players to their national teams.
Cyprus vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina (Oct. 9, 2-2) and San Marino (Oct. 12, 4-0)
- Michael Neofytos (31): goalkeeper
- Kostas Pileas (26): left back
Sweden vs. Switzerland (Oct. 10, 0-2) and Kosovo (Oct. 13)
- Ken Sema (32): left winger
Romania vs. Moldova (Oct. 9, 2-1) and Austria (Oct. 12, 1-0)
- Vlad Dragomir (26): attacking midfielder
Serbia vs. Albania (Oct. 11, 0-1) and Andorra (Oct. 14)
- Ognjen Mimović (21): right-back
Bosnia and Herzegovina vs. Cyprus (Oct. 9, 2-2) and Malta (Oct. 12, 4-1)
- Ivan Šunjić (29): defensive midfielder
Mozambique vs. Guinea (Oct. 9, 1-2) and Somalia (Oct. 14)
- Bruno Langa (27): left back
Context
Matchday three of the UEFA Champions League between Kairat and Pafos is scheduled for Oct. 21. Ticket sales in Kazakhstan began on Oct. 13.
Over the first two matchdays, Kairat suffered heavy defeats against Sporting and Real Madrid. Meanwhile, Pafos drew with Greek Olympiacos F.C. (0-0) and endured a crushing loss to FC Bayern München (5-1).
At the end of the 2024-25 season, Pafos became the Cypriot champion for the first time in its history. After six rounds of the 2025-26 season, the club leads the standings with 15 points.
