‘A point is a dream and Qatar will keep dreaming’

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 by springing a surprise against Switzerland.

Having lost all three matches on their tournament debut as hosts in 2022, The Maroons fell behind to Breel Embolo’s 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 we’ll keep dreaming. We know we’re at a lower level than our three rivals, but we want to compete.”

World 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 didn’t 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, schedule

Here’s 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.