Qatar head coach Julen Lopetegui has switched his focus from making history to upsetting World Cup 2026 co-hosts Canada after guiding his team to their first-ever point at the finals with a surprise draw against Switzerland.Having lost all three matches on their tournament debut as hosts in 2022, The Maroons fell behind to Breel Embolos first-half penalty in San Francisco but bagged a 1-1 draw against opponents ranked 31 places above them by FIFA when 35-year-old captain Boualem Khoukhi headed the equaliser during second-half added time.We have to make a significant effort to recover before facing Canada, who have an extra day of rest and will be playing at home, said former West Ham, Real Madrid and Spain boss Lopetegui (via Mundo Deportivo), whose side travel to Vancouver on Thursday (23:00 BST).Being here is a dream, getting a point is a dream, and well keep dreaming. We know were at a lower level than our three rivals, but we want to compete.Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026 analysis: Can Qatar beat Canada?World Cup 2026: Qatar fixtures, scheduleWorld Cup 2026: Qatar vs Switzerland statsWorld Cup 2026 analysis: Can Qatar beat Canada?Canada, who are ranked 31st, came from behind to draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina, who are 63rd, on Friday and had the better of the second half in their first match of the finals in Toronto.Should they secure another positive result against Les Rouges, Qatar would be well placed to reach the knockout stage and vanquish memories of their underwhelming showing four years ago.Just being here was historic, and to get a point against Switzerland one of the best teams in Europe, with significant solidity and top players is already important, reflected Lopetegui.A series of circumstances came together; we knew how to suffer during the difficult moments, we didnt panic when we were losing and we were rewarded with a goal.They had many chances. We tried to defend but they have top players.World Cup 2026: Qatar fixtures, scheduleHeres how the rest of the group stage schedule looks in Group B. The winners of the section will face a third-placed team in the last 32, with the second-placed team meeting Mexico, South Korea, Czechia or South Africa.Should they finish third, Qatar will have to hope they are one of the eight best-performing teams to finish in that position from the 12 groups.DateMatchBST start timeETPTJune 18Canada vs Qatar23:0018:0015:00June 18Switzerland vs Bosnia and Herzegovina20:0015:0012:00June 24Switzerland vs Canada20:0015:0012:00June 24Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Qatar20:0015:0012:00World Cup 2026: Qatar vs Switzerland statsQatar finished bottom of their group on their World Cup debut as hosts in 2022, conceding seven goals and scoring onceAmong sides to have played at least 10 games in the 2026 AFC World Cup qualifiers, Qatars games produced more goals per game than any other side (3.61). Of AFC sides to reach the World Cup, Qatar lost more games than any other nation (5)Almoez Ali is Qatars record marksman with 55 goals in 114 appearances but has not netted since scoring against Oman in December 2024Ghanaian-born striker Mohammed Muntari scored Qatars only previous World Cup goalSwitzerland last reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 1954, when the tournament was played on home soil. Since then, theyve never progressed past the second roundThey are one of two European teams to have reached the knockout stages in each of the last six major international tournaments (World Cup and EURO), alongside FranceMurat Yakins side conceded a total of two goals in qualifying, having shipped 14 across six matches in their preceding Nations League campaignEmbolo was Switzerlands top scorer in qualifying campaign with four goals and is one of five players to have scored multiple goals at both the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 EURO, along with Harry Kane, Kai Havertz, Niclas Fullkrug and Cody GakpoRicardo Rodriguez is at his fourth edition of the World Cup and has started every single match at six different major tournaments Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup Julen Lopetegui Qatar National Football Team Switzerland National Football Team World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read World Cup 2026: Full fixtures, dates, games, schedule and results from FIFA football finals Ben Miller 14th June, 2026 World Cup 2026: Brazil 1-1 Morocco report, result, goals as Vinicius Junior earns Selecao point against very brave Atlas Lions Ben Miller 14th June, 2026 Scotland vs Haiti live: World Cup 2026 confirmed teams and full line ups, TV channel, live online stream and stats Ben Miller 14th June, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Brilliant Vinicius Junior goal in Brazil vs Morocco after England legend questions unacceptable Gabriel and Marquinhos Ben Miller 13th June, 2026 Neymar: World Cup 2026 playing schedule, fixtures, results, kick off times, confirmed injury news updates, full Brazil squad Ben Miller 13th June, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Brazil vs Morocco confirmed teams and full line ups, TV channel, live online stream and stats with Alisson, Gabriel, Vinicius Junior and Raphinha among starters Ben Miller 13th June, 2026
