Qatar earned its first-ever World Cup point after securing a 1-1 draw against Switzerland in a Group B match [1], [2].
The result represents the first major upset of the 2026 tournament. By holding a dominant Swiss side, Qatar has shifted the early momentum of Group B and proved it can compete with established football powers.
Switzerland controlled much of the match, mounting a significant offensive barrage that included 27 shots [3]. Despite the pressure, the Qatari defense withstood the attack until the closing moments of the game.
In the 95th minute, Qatar scored a header to equalize the match [3]. Boualem Khoukhi was identified as the scorer of the late goal that stunned the Swiss side [1].
The final score of 1-1 ensures that Qatar walks away with a point in its tournament debut [1], [2]. The late equalizer came after a period of sustained Swiss dominance that failed to produce a winning goal.
This result marks a historic milestone for the Qatar national team. While Switzerland entered the match as the favorite, the late-game resilience of Qatar provided a shock to the tournament's early projections.
“Qatar earned its first-ever World Cup point”
This draw disrupts the expected hierarchy of Group B and provides Qatar with critical psychological momentum. For Switzerland, the failure to convert 27 shots into a victory suggests a vulnerability in their finishing that rivals may exploit in subsequent matches.
