Cacau returns to Kazakhstan in new role
Brazilian futsal player and coach Ricardo Sobral, known as Cacau, who previously worked in Kazakhstan, was appointed head coach of Kazakhstan national futsal team on January 16, 2026, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The 54-year-old Cacau is well known to Kazakh futsal fans, having been one of the leading players for Almaty-based club Kairat before going on to enjoy a successful coaching career with the same team. Under his guidance, Kairat won the UEFA Futsal Cup in 2013 and 2015, along with multiple Kazakhstan league titles and domestic cups.
Cacau previously coached the Kazakhstan national futsal team from 2013 to 2018, during which time the side achieved a historic milestone by winning the bronze medal at the 2016 UEFA Futsal Championship.
After leaving Kazakhstan, Cacau coached the national futsal teams of Italy, Romania, Kuwait, Iraq and the UAE, and also worked with club sides Napoli and United Galati.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation has announced the appointment of Kairat Satzhanov, former head coach of the men’s boxing team as vice president.