Switzerland Held to a Draw by Qatar in the 94th Minute

Qatar vs. Switzerland Match

According to Главком: Qatar’s national team secured a draw against Switzerland during the 2026 World Cup. The equalizer came in the 90+4th minute, thanks to a goal by captain Boualem Khoukhi. Switzerland had taken the lead earlier from a penalty converted by Breel Embolo. This match marks a significant milestone for Qatar, as the team qualified for the tournament through the regular qualifying process for the first time in its history.

Team Progress

After a disappointing 2022 World Cup, where Qatar lost all three group-stage matches and scored just one goal, the team has shown steady improvement. In 2023, they won the Asian Cup, a major achievement. More recently, in October 2025, Qatar defeated the UAE 2–1. Under the guidance of coach Julen Lopetegui, who took over in May 2025, the squad has demonstrated renewed determination to reach its goals.

Lopetegui stated: 'When we arrived here about a year ago, our only goal and dream was to qualify for the World Cup. Alhamdulillah, we achieved that thanks to these players-they have already rewritten history. But now we don’t want to stop. We know the strength of our opponents, we know where we stand, but we want to keep pursuing our dream. No one will give us anything here, so our aim is to be as competitive as possible.'

Having already made history, Qatar’s national team now aims to continue its journey in world football. The team’s hopes for further success have been bolstered by their latest result against Switzerland.

The outcome against Switzerland highlights Qatar’s progress and ability to compete on the international stage. Given their previous struggles at World Cups, this result could be a crucial step forward in the team’s development. Success under Lopetegui points to Qatar’s growing competitiveness globally, and the team has every chance to sustain this positive momentum in upcoming matches. As they continue to strengthen their position, Qatar seeks to leave a lasting mark on world football.

As Qatar continues to make strides on the international football stage, their ambitions extend beyond the World Cup. The national team's recent performance has drawn attention, especially as they eye potential investments to enhance their competitiveness. For instance, reports indicate that Qatar is looking to secure a significant financial commitment of €30 million over five years to attract a EuroLeague star, which could further bolster their sports development. This pursuit reflects Qatar's dedication to not only improving its football team but also expanding its overall athletic prowess. Explore more about Qatar's investment plans and how they aim to elevate their sporting success.