Qatar Earn First-Ever World Cup Point in 1-1 Draw With Switzerland

Qatar claimed the first point in their World Cup history on Friday, fighting back to draw 1-1 with Switzerland in their Group B opener at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Captain Boualem Khoukhi headed home deep into stoppage time to spare the Gulf nation a defeat that had looked likely for much of the afternoon.

Switzerland had taken the lead in the 17th minute through a Breel Embolo penalty, awarded after a VAR check. For long stretches the European side controlled possession and looked the more likely to add a second, but Qatar's defence held firm and Julian Lopetegui's men grew into the contest as the game wore on.

The decisive moment arrived in the sixth minute of added time, when Khoukhi rose highest to meet a cross and steered his header beyond the Swiss goalkeeper. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the heavily pro-Qatar crowd and on the bench — a release of emotion that reflected just how much the moment meant.

The point is historic. At Qatar 2022, the first World Cup staged in the Arab world, the host nation lost all three group matches and became the first hosts ever to exit without a single point. Friday's draw erases that unwanted record at the first attempt and gives Lopetegui's rebuilt side a foundation to build on in Group B.

Qatar will know that a point against a side ranked well above them is a result to savour, but the job in the group is far from done. Attention now turns to their remaining fixtures, where the same organisation and the late resilience shown against Switzerland could yet keep alive their hopes of a first World Cup knockout berth.