Boualem Khoukhi scored a late header to secure Qatar a 1-1 draw against Switzerland. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Qatar earned its first-ever FIFA World Cup point as captain Boualem Khoukhi scored a late equaliser to earn it a 1-1-1 draw against Switzerland at the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium on June 13.

Khoukhi thundered in at the back post to head past Gregor Kobel in the fourth of six minutes of injury time, sparking jubilant scenes in the Qatar dugout.

Earlier, Breel Embolo netted from the spot in the 17th minute after Qatar goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada fouled Remo Freuler inside the 18-yard box.

It was the solitary blemish for the keeper on a day where he gave a strong account of himself otherwise. The 26-year-old made a number of creditable saves to keep Switzerland at bay, but ultimately his efforts proved insufficent.

All four teams in Group B now have one point after one match following the 1-1 draw between Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina yesterday.

PLAYER RATINGS

Qatar: Mahmud Abunada (6.2/10), Ayoub Al-Oui (6.4/10), Pedro Miguel (6.9/10), Boualem Khoukhi (8.3/10), Homam Ahmed (7.6/10), Jassem Gaber Abdulsallam (6.1/10), Issa Laye (6.8/10), Edmilson Junior (6.7/10), Assim Madibo (6.5/10), Akram Afif (7.2/10), Yousuf Abdelrazzaq (6.3/10)

Subs: Ahmed Fathy (6.6/10), Karim Boudiaf (6.2/10), Ahmed Alaaeldin (6.4/10), Mohammed Manai (6.0/10), Hassan Al-Haydos (6.8/10)

Switzerland: Gregor Kobel (6.7/10), Nico Elvedi (7.0/10), Manuel Akanji (7.4/10), Ricardo Rodriguez (7.1/10), Michel Aebischer (6.9/10), Remo Freuler (7.3/10), Granit Xhaka (7.5/10), Denis Zakaria (6.5/10), Dan Ndoye (6.8/10), Breel Embolo (7.8/10), Rubén Vargas (7.2/10)

Subs: Johan Manzambi (6.2/10), Fabian Rieder (6.4/10), Zeki Amdouni (6.1/10), Ardon Jashari (6.0/10), Miro Muheim (6.1/10)

Published on Jun 14, 2026