SAN FRANCISCO, June 14 — The Qatari team drew 1-1 with Switzerland in the match held Saturday at San Francisco Bay Arena, in the opening round of Group B in the 2026 FIFA World Cup currently taking place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, Qatar News Agency (QNA) reported.
Switzerland took the lead through Breel Embolo from a penalty kick in the 17th minute, while Boualem Khoukhi snatched the equaliser for Qatar in stoppage time (90+4), earning Al Annabi their first point of the tournament in their second World Cup appearance, following their debut in the 2022 World Cup, which they hosted on home soil.
With this result, all four teams in the group are level on one point each, after Canada had previously drawn with Bosnia and Herzegovina by the same scoreline.
Qatar started the match brightly and nearly scored just three minutes in when Akram Afif delivered a pass that put Edmilson Junior through on goal, but the goalkeeper produced a brilliant save to deny him.
Switzerland, packed with star players, controlled the match and pressed for the opening goal, earning a penalty after Dan Ndoye delivered a cross that reached Remo Freuler in front of goal, where he was fouled by goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Nada.
Breel Embolo converted the penalty successfully, putting Switzerland ahead in the 17th minute.
Qatar’s performance improved as they searched for the equaliser, with Youssef Abdelrazaq attempting a long-range shot that went just over the crossbar in the 27th minute.
