Qatar scored a late goal against the Swiss to secure their first World Cup record | World Cup 2026 news

Asian Cup holders Qatar arrived in injury time to draw 1-1 with Switzerland in the opening match of the 2026 World Cup.

Boualem Khoukhi equalized with a header in the fourth minute of stoppage time, and Qatar spoiled a big day with Switzerland in score 1-1 in Group B of the World Cup.

Several Qatari players fell to the ground on Saturday in celebration of the late goal, while others ran to hug each other.

Breel Embolo scored for Switzerland in the first half just a week after being allowed to enter the US following a visa delay, but the Swiss failed to capitalize on another scoring opportunity.

In the 13th minute, Embolo was tackled by Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada, who received a yellow card in the match. Abunada lay face down and looked motionless for a few minutes before moving his legs and standing up again.

When Embolo calmly dispatched his penalty to the left in the 17th minute, it sent the red-clad Swiss fans dancing in the stands at Levi’s Stadium.

The 29-year-old forward applied for an urgent visa at the United States embassy in Bern on June 3, a day after he was denied boarding the team’s flight to the third World Cup because of the 2018 decision that was finalized in April.

Switzerland dominated the game on a hot June afternoon – with the sprinklers running high in the first half break.

There were many empty seats scattered throughout Levi’s Stadium, home of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers. Brazil and Colombia drew 70,971 two years ago in a group match at the Copa America. The stadium in Santa Clara hosted the Super Bowl four months ago.

Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel made a save in the second minute after Edmilson Junior broke through the defense one-on-one. Kobel connected the ball again in the 90th on an attempt near Ahmed Alaaeldin.

Switzerland will be hoping to go further than they showed four years ago before their 6-1 thrashing of Portugal – with Goncalo Ramos scoring a possible hat-trick playing in place of benched star Cristiano Ronaldo. The loss prompted Swiss midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri to apologize to fans.

The Swiss used consistency and experience to avoid defeats against Sweden, Kosovo and Slovenia. Coach Murat Yakin’s side won four and drew twice to earn its sixth consecutive World Cup appearance and haven’t missed one since 2002, but the team never made it past the quarterfinals.

Qatar, led by Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui, had to play in the finals in November – beating the United Arab Emirates and Oman – after missing out on their Asian qualifiers.

The Gulf state became the first host nation to lose all of its group matches four years ago. They lost to Senegal, Ecuador and the Netherlands in the 2022 tournament, scoring their only goal in a 3-1 loss to Senegal.