Qatar scored a late equalizer against Switzerland, according to Al Jazeera. In the opening game of the World Cup 2026 on June 13, 2026, Qatar secured its first-ever World Cup point with a 1-1 draw at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
What happened
Boualem Khoukhi scored an equalizing goal with a header in the fourth minute of stoppage time, allowing Qatar to spoil Switzerland’s dominance throughout the match. Several Qatari players celebrated by falling to the ground after the goal, embracing one another in joy.
Switzerland had initially taken the lead in the 17th minute when Breel Embolo scored from the penalty spot. Embolo, who faced a visa delay preventing him from joining the team until recently, took advantage of a foul against him by Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, who received a yellow card.
“Embolo calmly sent his penalty into the upper left corner, sending the red-clad Swiss fans into a dancing frenzy,” said the report.
Despite dominating possession throughout the game, the Swiss struggled to capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities, with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel making crucial saves to maintain Switzerland’s lead until late in the game.
Why it matters
This match signifies a vital milestone for Qatar, marking their first World Cup point. The team’s previous performance in the 2022 World Cup was disappointing, and a strong showing now could bolster their reputation and morale on the global stage.[2]
Switzerland, aiming to advance further than their round-of-16 exit in the last tournament, will need to reassess their strategies after failing to secure a win despite dominating the game. Their performance may affect their chances in the upcoming matches.[3]
Background
On May 27, 2026, Qatar secured its place in the World Cup through a playoff, defeating the United Arab Emirates and Oman after a disappointing Asian qualifying campaign. The team previously became the first World Cup host nation to lose all group matches in the 2022 tournament.[1]
Switzerland, on the other hand, qualified unbeaten through their matches against Sweden, Kosovo, and Slovenia, securing their spot in their sixth consecutive World Cup. Their prior World Cup journey concluded with a heavy loss to Portugal, prompting reflections on past performances.
What’s next
Qatar will prepare for their next Group B match against Colombia on June 20, 2026, while Switzerland will face Brazil on the same day, both teams looking to improve their standings in the tournament.
