Qatar earned its first ever point at a FIFA World Cup finals after securing a 1-1 draw against Switzerland on June 13, 2026 [1], [2].
This result marks a historic milestone for the Qatar national team, as they have previously failed to secure a point in their appearances at the tournament. The draw keeps Qatar competitive in Group B during the early stages of the competition.
The match took place in Santa Clara, California [3]. Switzerland took the lead through a penalty scored by Breel Embolo [1]. However, Qatar managed to equalize late in the game to avoid defeat [1], [2].
Reports differ on the nature of the equalizing goal. Sky Sports said that Boualem Khoukhi scored the late leveller [1]. Conversely, MSN said the goal was a late own goal gifted to Qatar [2]. Despite the discrepancy in the scorer's identity, the final score remained 1-1 [1].
Qatar's defense held firm following the equalizer to ensure the match ended in a stalemate. The effort allowed the team to leave the U.S. venue with a result that significantly boosts their standing within the group [2], [5].
“Qatar earned its first ever point at a FIFA World Cup finals”
By securing their first-ever point at a World Cup, Qatar has broken a historical ceiling in international football. While the discrepancy regarding whether the goal was an own goal or a strike by Boualem Khoukhi persists, the outcome provides Qatar with critical psychological momentum and a mathematical path to advance in Group B.
