Khoukhi header earns Qatar a historic first World Cup point against Switzerland

Boualem Khoukhi headed home in the 94th minute to cancel out Breel Embolo's penalty, earning Qatar a 1-1 draw with Switzerland — the first World Cup point in the country's history, and a result that leaves Group B level.

Qatar snatched a dramatic point from their World Cup opener, with captain Boualem Khoukhi heading home deep in stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw with Switzerland at Levi's Stadium in the San Francisco Bay Area — and, with it, the first World Cup point in the nation's history.

Switzerland had looked in control for long spells. They went ahead in the 17th minute when goalkeeper Mahmoud Abunada upended Remo Freuler in the box, and Breel Embolo stepped up to convert the first penalty of the 2026 tournament, sending the keeper the wrong way.

The Swiss dominated possession but could not find a second, and that profligacy proved costly. As the match ticked into the fourth minute of added time, Homam Ahmed swung a ball into the area and Khoukhi rose highest to glance a header beyond the goalkeeper, sparking wild celebrations from the Qatar bench.

It was a moment of real significance. As hosts in 2022, Qatar lost all three of their group games and became the first host nation to exit without a point. This time, on the road, they finally have one on the board — and they earned it with the last meaningful action of the match.

The result blows Group B wide open. Switzerland, Qatar, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina are now all level on a single point each after the opening round, leaving everything to play for in the matches to come.

For fans watching in Kenya, it was a reminder of why the underdog story endures — a team written off after a chastening home tournament, refusing to give up until the very last header found its mark.