Boualem Khoukhi celebrates with teammates after scoring Qatar's first goal against Switzerland during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B match at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on June 13, 2026 in Santa Clara, California.
DOHA: Boualem Khoukhi headed home in the fourth minute of stoppage time as Qatar held Group B favourites Switzerland to a 1-1 draw and secured their first-ever World Cup point in Santa Clara on Saturday.
Murat Yakin’s side dominated the match and took the lead after Breel Embolo converted a penalty in the 17th minute in front of 67,966 spectators at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium.
Qatar survived a barrage of Swiss attacks across both halves before Khoukhi's late header salvaged a point. It was only Qatar's second goal at a World Cup after Mohammed Muntari scored against Senegal four years ago.
Making only his seventh appearance for Qatar, goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada emerged as the star, blocking multiple Swiss attempts. He enjoyed a memorable match apart from the penalty he conceded.
“I am happy to help Qatar, but everyone gave their best. Now we will focus on our next matches as all the matches will be difficult. We are confident of doing our best,” Abunada said after the match.
The two-time Asian champions will now meet co-hosts Canada in Vancouver on June 19 (1am Qatar time) in their second match before facing Bosnia and Herzegovina in their final group game in Seattle on June 24. Canada and Bosnia also played a 1-1 draw on Friday.
Julen Lopetegui, managing his first-ever match at a World Cup, continued to show faith in Abunada by handing him a starting role ahead of seasoned Meshaal Barsham.
With Almoez Ali starting on the bench, Akram Afif led the line, supported by Edmilson Junior and Yousef Abdurisag, while Assim Madibo anchored a midfield that also featured Issa Laye and Jassem Jabir.
Afif, however, had a quiet evening as Switzerland dominated, registering 26 attempts, including seven shots on target.
They threatened moments after kick-off through Embolo, but Qatar created the first clear opening in the second minute.
Edmilson dispossessed Manuel Akanji and raced through on goal, only to fire straight at Gregor Kobel from close range.
It was an open start, with Dan Ndoye testing Abunada after Michel Aebischer's pass. Abunada produced a smart low save to deny Aebischer in the sixth minute.
Qatar survived another scare four minutes later when Ndoye scooped his effort over the bar. Abunada then came to the rescue again following a Swiss free-kick before conceding a penalty after fouling Remo Freuler.
After a VAR review confirmed the decision, Embolo calmly sent Abunada the wrong way, slotting into the left corner to give Switzerland an early lead.
Abunada remained busy, denying Denis Zakaria after Embolo's lay-off before the hydration break. At the other end, Laye headed over from Afif's short-corner routine, but Switzerland maintained the upper hand as Qatar's lack of precision in possession allowed the Swiss to dominate the ball.
Edmilson came close to equalising three minutes before the break, but Kobel blocked his low effort with his legs after a through ball into the box.
Abunada then produced two more excellent saves, first to deny Ndoye from another Aebischer assist and then to keep out Ruben Vargas as Switzerland pushed for a second in added time.
Qatar escaped once more just before the interval when Homam Al Amin blocked a goal-bound effort from Aebischer with Abunada out of position, capping a dominant first half from Switzerland.
Switzerland resumed where they had left off, winning three successive corners as they pinned Qatar back inside their own half.
Granit Xhaka then came close with a powerful effort from distance that sailed just over the bar as the Swiss pressed for a second goal.
Yakin's side maintained sustained pressure, leaving Al Annabi struggling to gain a foothold in the contest.
Seeking to change the momentum, Lopetegui made a triple substitution on the hour mark, introducing Karim Boudiaf for Jabir, Ahmed Fathi for Ayoub Alawi and Ahmed Alaaeldin in place of Abdurisag.
Six minutes later, Yakin freshened up his side with a double substitution, sending on Fabian Rieder for Aebischer and Johan Manzambi in place of Ndoye.
Alaaeldin injected some urgency into Qatar's attack with a lively run into the box before Boudiaf tried his luck from distance as Al Annabi showed signs of improvement after the hydration break.
But Switzerland soon shifted back into top gear, with Abunada once again coming to Qatar's rescue by denying Rieder before Manzambi flashed an effort just wide of the left post from distance.
Hassan Al Haydos replaced Edmilson Junior with two minutes remaining.
Afif produced his rare bright moment of the match and set up Alaaeldin, who fired straight at the goalkeeper.
Just when Qatar appeared headed for defeat, Khoukhi rose highest to meet Homam Al Amin's precise cross and headed into the right corner to seal a point.
Qatar will now aim for a first-ever World Cup victory when they meet Canada.
