Qatar Earns Draw Against Switzerland with Injury-Time Goal in FIFA World Cup 2026

In a FIFA World Cup 2026 match held in California, Qatar secured its first point by drawing 1-1 against Switzerland. The game concluded with a late goal by Qatar’s Boualem Khoukhi during injury time, resulting in a stalemate. Kathmandu, May 31.

Boualem Khoukhi’s injury-time strike helped Qatar come from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Switzerland at the FIFA World Cup 2026. Held at the San Francisco Bay Area stadium in California, Qatar was unable to maintain an early lead and ultimately had to settle for a draw. This result marks Qatar’s first point in a World Cup, as the host nation in 2022 failed to advance any points during that tournament.

Switzerland applied sustained pressure throughout the match, creating numerous scoring opportunities but failing to convert due to Qatar’s goalkeeper’s outstanding performance. Switzerland held over 60 percent possession during the game. Nonetheless, Qatar persevered until the end and scored in injury time to equalize. Earlier, Breel Embolo put Switzerland ahead with a goal.

In the 17th minute, Qatar’s goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada committed a foul inside the box, resulting in a penalty for Switzerland. Embolo successfully converted the penalty to give Switzerland an early lead. Trailing by one goal until the final moments, Qatar’s Boualem Khoukhi headed a crucial goal during injury time to secure the draw and prevent defeat. Having hosted the World Cup in 2022, Qatar qualified this time by advancing through the qualification stage. Switzerland marked its 13th World Cup appearance. While Qatar was eliminated in the group stage in 2022, Switzerland had progressed to the round of 16. In today’s second match, five-time world champion Brazil will face Morocco, who finished fourth in the previous edition. That game will kick off at 3:45 pm at the New York-New Jersey stadium.