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Login2026 FIFA World Cup: Global Media Outlets Laud Qatar's Performance in Opening Match
Doha, June 14 (QNA) - Qatar's national football team established themselves as one of the headline stories of the opening round of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, after securing a valuable 1-1 draw against Switzerland in Group B of the tournament currently being staged across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and scheduled to run until 19 July.
The significance of the result went beyond Qatar earning their first point in the World Cup in what is its second appearance at the tournament, following their debut at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
It also reflected the wider recognition the team have recently received, as international media outlets highlighted their improved technical level, tactical discipline, and growing resilience against one of Europe's more stable and experienced national teams.
Most media coverage agreed that Qatar delivered a mature performance that reflected the steady development of their football program in recent years.
The team withstood sustained Swiss pressure for long periods with strong defensive organization, before managing to come back in stoppage time through veteran defender Boualem Khoukhi, in a moment that embodied the players' strong fighting spirit until the final seconds.
The American website ESPN noted that Qatar triggered a notable surprise by securing a late draw against Switzerland to claim their first point in World Cup history.
In a report titled: Switzerland left frustrated after being denied victory by Qatar, proud of their first World Cup point, ESPN stated that Switzerland took the lead through a Breel Embolo penalty but failed to convert their dominance into victory despite controlling large parts of the match, while Qatar showed strong resilience and clear composure.
The report added that the fourth minute of stoppage time brought the equalizing goal, sparking celebrations among Qatari players and fans, while leaving the Swiss camp visibly disappointed after believing they were on course to take all three points.
It concluded that Qatar would hope this result becomes a turning point in their World Cup campaign and helps them move on from their previous participation in the 2022 World Cup, when they became the first host nation to lose all group-stage matches.
From the Italian side, journalist Alice Caccamo wrote that a new page in Qatari football history was written at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, where Qatar managed to hold Switzerland to a draw against pre-match expectations.
In her analysis published by the Italian website CalcioWeb under the title: Qatari achievement thanks to Abu Neda's saves, she noted that Switzerland, boosted by their recent victory over Italy in the Round of 16 of Euro 2024, faced a Qatar side that showed strong pride and fighting spirit, alongside an outstanding performance from goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Neda, who made several crucial saves.
She added that Qatar refused to give up until the final whistle, achieving what she described as a historic result for Qatari football, while Switzerland were left with a sense of frustration after failing to secure a match that had appeared within their reach.
Meanwhile, the Kazakh news agency DKNews considered the result a milestone in Qatar's football history, especially given that their previous World Cup participation ended without a single point.
It noted that Qatar appeared more mature, confident, and tactically developed compared to its previous appearance on the world stage and was able to compete more effectively against established European opposition.
The report added that this result underscores the broader development of Qatari football, undergirded by investment in sporting infrastructure, youth development programs, and the integration of international coaching expertise that has helped raise the team's competitive level.
It concluded that Qatar is now seen as a more respected competitor on the international stage, with the next challenge being to achieve their first World Cup victory and continue progressing toward higher levels of competitiveness.
The British newspaper The Telegraph highlighted the refereeing controversy surrounding the Qatar-Switzerland match in the opening round of Group B in this tournament, after the decision to award a penalty to Switzerland raised numerous questions.
The newspaper explained that television replays showed a suspected offside involving Swiss midfielder Remo Freuler before he was brought down by goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Neda inside the penalty area, sparking widespread debate over the validity of the decision.
In a report titled: Qatar surprises Switzerland, the newspaper added that Qatar punished their Swiss opponents for late defensive lapses, ultimately securing a deserved draw.
Swiss media, meanwhile, treated the result as an unexpected setback for Switzerland, in contrast to widespread Qatari celebration of what was described as a historic first World Cup point.
Swiss broadcaster RTS, in a report titled: Switzerland fail to start their World Cup campaign, said Switzerland squandered a victory that was within their grasp, while Qatar celebrated a historic draw on the World Cup stage.
The broadcaster added that Qatar made scrupulous use of the final moments when Boualem Khoukhi rose to head home the equalizer in what was described as a superb header, noting that Switzerland placed themselves in a complicated position due to their inability to close out the match earlier.
The Swiss newspaper 20 Minutes considered the result a disappointing setback for Switzerland, which wasted numerous chances and failed to score a second goal to settle the contest.
24heures reported that Qatar managed to surprise the Swiss and force them to settle for a single point, despite relying on a highly organized defensive structure, also noting that Switzerland appeared hesitant and constrained during large parts of the match.
The newspaper La Liberte quoted Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka, who praised Qatar's performance and goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Neda, stating that the Qatari goalkeeper produced a world-class performance, and subsequently respect must be showed to Qatar, who held firm throughout the match before taking their chance.
He added, according to the newspaper, that a lack of discipline on the pitch doesn't allow a team to defeat an opponent like Qatar, in clear reference to his respect for the level shown by Al Annabi.
Meanwhile, Le Nouvelliste described the result as a setback for Switzerland, considering the outcome disappointing, while Qatar celebrated a draw of significant moral value against one of Europe's stronger teams.
Blick praised Qatar's performance, confirming that the players of Spanish coach Julen Lopetegui displayed strong character and an implacable fighting spirit, and were far from an easy opponent despite sustained Swiss pressure.
It added that Qatar continued to fight until the very last moment, earning their reward through a stoppage-time equalizer that secured their first-ever point in a World Cup.
Most international media coverage concurred that Qatar delivered a convincing performance both tactically and mentally and pulled off in earning the respect of a European opponent with massive international experience.
The repeated praise for goalkeeper Mahmoud Abu Neda, coach Julen Lopetegui, and the players' fighting spirit reflected a positive image of the development of Qatari football and Al Annabi's growing ability to compete more effectively in the current World Cup edition.
Although the tournament still has a long way to go, the point Qatar earned against Switzerland was seen by many global media outlets as more than just a draw in the opening round, but rather a clear message that Al Annabi entered the 2026 World Cup with a different mentality and ambitions that go beyond mere participation. (QNA)
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