French football club Paris Saint-Germain has announced the launch of its first academy in Kazakhstan, with the project set to begin in September 2026, according to infohub.kz.
Kazakhstan will become the 24th country to join the international PSG Academy network. The first training center will open at the Air Arena sports complex in Astana and will accommodate up to 300 young footballers—boys and girls aged 6 to 14. The local pitch meets FIFA standards, allowing year-round training regardless of weather conditions.
The academy will follow PSG's official methodology, focusing not only on improving football skills but also on the holistic personal development of children. Plans are in place to expand PSG Academy's presence in Kazakhstan and open branches in other regions.
Almaz Alsenov, founder of the local branch, emphasized the project's long-term commitment to developing football in Kazakhstan. "We are proud to bring PSG Academy to Kazakhstan and provide young footballers with access to world-class training methods and the club's football philosophy. Through this partnership, we aim to contribute to the long-term development of youth football in Kazakhstan, creating an environment where children can grow not only as athletes but also as individuals, fostering teamwork, self-confidence, discipline, and strong character both on and off the pitch," Alsenov said.
Nadia Benmokhtar, Director of Diversification and Head of the Chief Commercial Officer's Office, noted that the club strives to spread its knowledge and values far beyond Paris. "The new academy in Astana is another important step in building a global network that will allow thousands of young players around the world to learn football according to PSG's high standards and continue their development as part of our big family," Benmokhtar added.
PSG Academy was founded in 2005 and has since become one of the largest football academy networks in the world. It currently comprises over 200 training centers across 24 countries, with more than 50,000 young athletes participating.