Qatar Celebrates Historic Draw Against Switzerland in FIFA 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 expressed pride in his team's mentality, while Switzerland's coach Murat Yakin lamented missed opportunities. This match marks a significant milestone for Qatar, who previously finished last in their debut World Cup. As both teams look ahead to their next matches, the excitement continues to build in this prestigious tournament.

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

Qatar's Historic Moment in World Cup

Santa Clara [US], June 14: After a thrilling 1-1 draw with Switzerland in their opening match of the FIFA World Cup, Qatar's coach Julen Lopetegui expressed his satisfaction with the team's mindset. He noted that achieving qualification was a significant milestone, and now they have the opportunity to pursue their dreams further.

A late header from Boualem Khoukhi, which deflected off Swiss defender Miro Muheim and was ruled an own goal, marked Qatar's first-ever points in World Cup history during an exciting match against Switzerland on Saturday. In their previous World Cup appearance, which they co-hosted, Qatar finished last without securing a win. This draw now gives them their inaugural World Cup point.

Post-match, Julen remarked, "We realized one dream by arriving here, and today represents another small dream. We have the right to keep dreaming." He praised his team's resilience and discipline, stating, "In the end, we have a significant reward for us. I was very proud of the mentality they displayed today."

Conversely, Switzerland's coach Murat Yakin lamented the loss of two crucial points. He acknowledged that while his team played with offensive intent and created opportunities, they lacked the necessary precision in the final moments. Despite dominating the first half, their sluggish performance in the second half cost them.

Yakin explained, "We had a plan to be very dominant and attacking. We generated excellent chances, but unfortunately, we were not always effective. It hurts to lose two points." He criticized the late equalizer as a result of an avoidable mistake, emphasizing the need to maintain possession better.

He added, "It was unnecessary to lose the ball and allow that chance. It really hurts. We need to analyze the match and return stronger." Yakin also reflected on the impact of substitutions, stating, "When you bring someone new in, you hope they will strengthen the team. It was not the fault of the substitutes; we are one unit. I may need to reevaluate my decisions."

Despite the disappointment, Yakin praised captain Granit Xhaka as a "true leader," noting his desire to win, even though they fell short today.

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