Qatar Celebrates Historic Draw Against Switzerland in World Cup Opener

In a thrilling opener for the FIFA World Cup, Qatar secured its first-ever points with a 1-1 draw against Switzerland. Coach Julen Lopetegui praised his team's mentality, while Swiss coach Murat Yakin lamented missed opportunities. The match featured a late equalizer that marked a historic moment for Qatar. As both teams look ahead to their next challenges, the excitement of the tournament continues to build.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 14, 2026, 06:42 IST

Qatar's Historic Moment

In their opening match of the FIFA World Cup, Qatar managed a 1-1 draw against Switzerland, marking a significant milestone for the team. Coach Julen Lopetegui expressed his satisfaction with the players' mentality, emphasizing that they have fulfilled one dream by qualifying for the World Cup and now have the right to pursue further aspirations. The match saw a late header from Boualem Khoukhi, which deflected off Swiss defender Miro Muheim, resulting in an own goal and granting Qatar their first-ever points in World Cup history. Previously, during their debut as co-hosts, Qatar finished without a win.

After the match, Lopetegui stated, "We achieved one dream by arriving here, and today marks another small dream. We have the right to keep dreaming." He praised the team's resilience and discipline, noting that their efforts culminated in a significant achievement.

Swiss Coach Reflects on Missed Opportunity

Conversely, Switzerland's coach Murat Yakin expressed disappointment over what he perceived as a loss of two points. He acknowledged that while his team played with an attacking mindset and created opportunities, they lacked the precision needed to capitalize on those chances. Despite dominating the first half, their performance dipped in the second half.

"We aimed to be dominant and attacking, creating good chances, but we fell short in efficiency. Ultimately, we lost two points," Yakin remarked. He highlighted a critical mistake in ball possession late in the game, which led to Qatar's equalizer, stating, "It was unnecessary to lose the ball and allow that chance. It really hurts to miss out on full points. We need to reassess and come back stronger."

Yakin also reflected on the impact of substitutions, emphasizing the need for the entire team to function cohesively. He praised captain Granit Xhaka as a "true leader" who always strives for victory, despite the team's inability to secure a win.

Looking Ahead

Switzerland's next match is scheduled against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday, while Qatar will face Canada on Friday.