Khoukhi's Header in the 94th Gives Qatar a Historic First World Cup Point

MATCH RECAP: Qatar 1, Switzerland 1

SANTA CLARA, Calif. (June 13, 2026) — The Bay Area opened its World Cup hosting journey in memorable fashion, successfully staging its first match as Qatar and Switzerland played out a dramatic 1–1 draw in front of 67,966 fans at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium. The spotlight briefly shifted to Qatar deep in stoppage time, where Boualem Khoukhi’s 94th-minute header canceled out Breel Embolo’s first-half penalty to secure a historic first World Cup point for the visitors. The Group B result leaves both sides level on one point heading into their second matches.

Switzerland controlled the game from the opening whistle, dominating possession and creating chances that, on another day, could have produced a far more comfortable lead.

Standing in their way was Man of the Match Mahmoud Abunada. The Qatar goalkeeper was exceptional under sustained pressure, making several important saves including a sharp stop from a free kick on the edge of the area.

The deadlock broke when Abunada brought down Switzerland's Remo Freuler inside the penalty area in the 13th minute. The goalkeeper received a yellow card on the play and lay motionless for several minutes before recovering. Switzerland’s Embolo stepped up in the 17th minute and sent the penalty calmly into the upper left corner.

Qatar 0–1 Switzerland (Embolo, 17')

With play settled into a quieter spell around the 38th minute, the crowd took matters into their own hands, sending a Mexican wave around the stadium.

Switzerland went close to a second in stoppage time, with Michel Aebischer's shot from the right cleared off the line by Qatar's El Ahmed. The half ended with Switzerland leading 0–1 and firmly in control.

The intensity dropped off after the break as the temperature climbed to 88°F by early afternoon. Switzerland remained threatening — Ruben Vargas and Embolo were both played in down the left within the space of a minute. Abunada parried the first and the second was dragged wide.

With time running out, it looked like Switzerland would hold on for the win, but the 94th minute told a different story.

Homam Ahmed worked the ball down the left and whipped a cross into the area. Khoukhi came charging in and powered a header past Gregor Kobel. Qatar held on through the final seconds and walked away with something historic.

Qatar 1–1 Switzerland (Khoukhi, 90'+4)

Their first ever point for Qatar at a FIFA World Cup.

Both teams return to action Thursday, June 18. Switzerland travels to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles to face Bosnia and Herzegovina at 3 p.m. ET. Qatar heads north to BC Place in Vancouver for a 6 p.m. ET kickoff against co-host Canada. The next match at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium is Monday, June 16 at 9 p.m., when Austria takes on Jordan.

Qatar vs. Switzerland
2026 FIFA World Cup | Group B
Saturday, June 13, 2026
San Francisco Bay Area Stadium, Santa Clara, Calif.
Kickoff: 12:00 p.m. PT
Attendance: 67,966

Discipline
QAT – Mahmoud Abunada (yellow) 15'
QAT – Jassem Gaber (yellow) 22'
SUI – Denis Zakaria (yellow) 41'

Scoring Summary
SUI – Breel Embolo (pen.) 17'
QAT – Boualem Khoukhi (Homam Ahmed) 90'+4

Starting Lineups
Qatar starting lineup (4-3-3): Mahmoud Abunada; Ayoub Al Oui, Pedro Miguel, Boualem Khoukhi, Homam El Amin; Issa Laye, Jassem Gaber, Assim Madibo; Edmílson Junior, Yusuf Abdurisag, Akram Afif.

Switzerland starting lineup (3-4-2-1): Gregor Kobel; Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Denis Zakaria; Michel Aebischer, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Ricardo Rodríguez; Rubén Vargas, Dan Ndoye; Breel Embolo.