After 32 years, World Cup soccer returned to the Bay Area.
On a balmy afternoon, Qatar and Switzerland served up an enthralling, historic match and a reminder of how a draw can feel like defeat and victory at the same.
After scoring a 95th-minute equalizing goal Qatar, earning their first point in a World Cup game, celebrated like victors. Their substitutes and coaching staff ran onto the field while their supporters in the stadium erupted.
Switzerland, who had dominated most of the game, looked utterly dejected. After taking a 17th-minute lead through a Breel Embolo penalty, that should perhaps have been ruled out after an offside in the buildup, the Swiss wasted a glut of chances to extend their lead.
“It was historic just to be here, and now to get a point today against Switzerland, one of the best teams in Europe, with top players in top leagues, is huge,” said Qatar coach Julen Lopetegui.
“We knew how to suffer through difficult moments, did not go crazy even when we were losing. In the end, we got the prize with the goal to get our first point.”
Switzerland had 27 shots and 70% possession during the game. As the contest reached its climax, they were made to pay for their profligacy.
Qatar worked the ball up the left. A delicate cross to the back post was met with an emphatic header by Boualem Khoukhi before deflecting off Miro Muheim for an own goal. Swiss keeper Gregor Dobel, who was named the best goalkeeper in the German Bundesliga after his past season with Borussia Dortmund, was powerless to stop it.
“It was just unnecessary that we lost the ball and allowed the chance,” Switzerland coach Murat Yakin lamented after the game.
“It really hurts a lot. Now we have to get back to the drawing board, assess the match, and come back stronger.”
In the post-match press conference Swiss journalists bombarded Yakin with questions about his substitutions, the words of his captain Granit Xhaka who critiqued the Swiss performance, and the future of the team at this tournament.
“When you bring someone new in, you hope they will give more strength to the team and that you keep dominating,” Yakin said.
“It was not the fault of the substituted players. We are one team, one unit,” he said.
The official attendance of 67,966 raised some eyebrows given the number of visibly empty seats. But the fans in the stadium created a raucous atmosphere despite the noon kickoff. As temperatures approach 90 degrees anyone wanting to cool down need only look at the prices of the food and beverage offerings (close to $30 for a beer).
There were plenty of fans in Qatar and Switzerland colors. And one of the defining images of the day were the fraternal scenes as supporters of rival nations embraced and posed for photos. There were plenty of fans in Mexico jerseys, while Colombia, Nigeria, England, FC Barcelona, Arsenal, and San Francisco 49er fans were also making their presence felt.
Before kickoff resale tickets that had hovered around the $1,000 mark for much of the preceding week had dropped to $300. It is difficult to ignore the finances of this World Cup. The Bay Area is a notoriously expensive place. Yet even here, in one of the most affluent parts of the world, avid soccer had balked at paying FIFA 2026 prices.
There appeared to be thousands of empty seats in the stadium. Those who did pay to attend this game were at least rewarded for their investment.
Qatar hosted the previous iteration of this tournament in 2022 and failed to earn a point as they lost all three games. The joy their players, staff, and fans exhibited here underlined the unique power of this competition.
Even when they didn’t win, Qatar left the field like champions.
Remaining World Cup games at Levi’s Stadium (or the San Francisco Bay Area Stadium as it is known for FIFA 2026):
Tuesday, June 16: Austria vs. Jordan
Friday, June 19: Turkey vs. Paraguay
Monday, June 22: Jordan vs. Algeria
Thursday, June 25: Paraguay vs. Australia
Wednesday, July 1: Round of 32 (Group D Winner vs. a third placed team from Group B/E/F/I/J)
