Qatar 1-1 Switzerland: Khoukhi's 94th-Minute Header Earns Historic FIFA World Cup Point
Qatar vs Switzerland, FIFA World Cup 2026 Photos: Qatar secured their first-ever World Cup point after snatching a dramatic 1-1 draw against Switzerland in their Group B match at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Switzerland took the lead in the 17th minute when Breel Embolo converted a penalty following Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada's foul on Remo Freuler. Despite dominating possession and registering 26 shots, the Swiss failed to find a second goal as Abunada made a string of brilliant saves. And in a late twist, Boualem Khoukhi rose to head home a Homam El Amin cross past the Swiss goalie, Gregor Kobel. The dramatic 94th-minute equaliser leaves Group B deadlocked, with Qatar, Switzerland, Canada, and Bosnia-Herzegovina all level on one point and a zero-goal difference after the opening round. Up next, Qatar face co-hosts Canada, while Switzerland meet Bosnia & Herzegovina on June 18.
Staff members work as stadium preparations continue, Thursday, June 11, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, ahead of the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Qatar head Coach Julen Lopetegui, left, and Qatar player Hassan Al-Haydos, right attend a press conference Friday, June 12, 2026, at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, ahead of the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Switzerland head coach Murat Yakin, left, and captain Granit Xhaka, right, attend a news conference Friday, June, 12, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif., ahead of the World Cup Group B soccer match between Switzerland and Qatar. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Switzerland's Ardon Jashari, takes part in the warm-up ahead of the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Members of the Swiss team warm up ahead of the start of the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Switzerland starting XI lines up for a photo before the kick-off of their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group B match against Qatar in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Qatar players pose before the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Fans dressed as neutral supporters wait for the start of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Group B match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada makes a save during their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group B match against Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Switzerland's Michel Aebischer, left, fights for the ball under pressure from Qatar's Yusuf Abdurisag, during their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group B match in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada fouls Switzerland's Remo Freuler during their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group B in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Switzerland's Breel Embolo shoots and scores the opening goal from the penalty spot during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Teammates mob Qatar's Boualem Khoukhi after scoring his sides first goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Qatari players take a water break during their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group B match against Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Switzerland's Dan Ndoye, left, is brought down by Qatar's Assim Madibo during their World Cup match in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
The scoreboard shows the half-time score with empty seats in the upper tiers during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Switzerland's Ricardo Rodriguez takes a corner kick during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Qatar's Akram Afif clears the ball during the World Cup Group B match against Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel releases the ball during their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group B match against Qatar in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Empty seats are seen during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Qatar's Akram Afif attempts to get past Switzerland's Zeki Amdouni during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Qatar's Boualem Khoukhi celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Qatar staff and players celebrate after scoring during the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
Qatar's Boualem Khoukhi is mobbed by teammates after he scored a late equaliser against Switzerland during their FIFA World Cup 2026, Group B match in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eakin Howard
Qatar fans celebrate after the World Cup Group B soccer match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Saturday, June 13, 2026. AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko
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