Curacao faces daunting first World Cup game against 4-time champion Germany
Qatar lost all three of its matches as a World Cup host four years ago and appeared to be headed toward another in its 2026 opener against Switzerland. Boualem Khoukhi changed his country’s course at the last possible moment, scoring a tying goal on a header in the fourth minute of stoppage time to give Qatar a 1-1 tie against Switzerland on Saturday. The late equalizer gave Qatar its first World Cup point and left the mighty Swiss wondering what happened. “We’re looking at ourselves,” Switzerland midfielder Granit Xhaka said. Brazil managed to extend its unbeaten streak in World Cup openers to 21. Morocco didn’t make it easy. Morocco controlled play early and took the lead in the 21st minute on a goal by Ismael Saibari. Brazil tied it on Vinícius Júnior’s goal in the 32nd minute and ended up in a 1-1 tie to avoid its first loss since 1934 against Spain. Scotland, making its first appearance in the tournament since 1998, beat Haiti 1-0 on John McGinn’s deflected shot in the 28th minute.