First major upset at the 2026 World Cup: Qatar rescue draw against Switzerland in the 94th minute

The first major upset of the 2026 FIFA World Cup has arrived. Qatar held Switzerland to a 1-1 draw in their opening Group B match.

Switzerland were the clear favourites and created a huge number of chances throughout the game. According to the xG statistics, the Swiss produced 3.15 expected goals and had around 25 attempts, but they failed to turn their dominance into a convincing result.

The scoring was opened in the 17th minute. Switzerland forward Breel Embolo converted a penalty to put his team ahead. After that, the Swiss continued to apply pressure and had enough chances to make the scoreline much more comfortable, but Qatar managed to stay in the game.

The decisive moment came deep into stoppage time. In the 94th minute, Qatar captain and centre-back Boualem Khoukhi met Homam Ahmed’s cross and sent a firm header into the net to make it 1-1.

That goal earned Qatar their first-ever point at the World Cup finals. For Qatari football, this result may become one of the most significant moments in the country’s history: the team survived against a strong European opponent and rescued the match at the very end.

After the first round of matches, Group B has an unusual look: all four teams have one point. Earlier, Canada and Bosnia and Herzegovina also played out a 1-1 draw.

Group B standings after Matchday 1

1. Switzerland — 1 point
2. Canada — 1 point
3. Qatar — 1 point
4. Bosnia and Herzegovina — 1 point