Qatar earns first-ever FIFA World Cup point with late draw against Switzerland
Qatar’s Maroon One, on Saturday, picked up their first-ever FIFA World Cup point following a 1-1 draw against Red Crosses of Switzerland at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
The 2026 World Cup is Qatar’s second appearance after making their debut as hosts of the 2022 tournament, in which they lost all three group stage matches.
Switzerland was by far the superior team in the match, with Breel Embolo putting the European side ahead from the penalty spot only seven minutes after kickoff.
The Swiss went on to control the match, creating multiple chances but failing to convert them, mostly due to the brilliant performance of goalkeeper Mahmud Abunada.
When Switzerland thought they had secured the victory, the reigning Asian champions stunned them with an equaliser deep into added time after Boualem Khoukhi headed home a cross by Homan Elamin to secure a draw for the Middle Eastern country.
The four teams in Group B are now one point each after co-hosts Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina also settled for a 1-1 draw in the opening group match on Friday.
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