Co-hosts Canada and Qatar produced dramatic late fightbacks to secure valuable points in their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 Group B matches.
Canada ended their long wait for a positive result at a World Cup finals by coming from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Bosnia-Herzegovina in Toronto.
The Canadians looked destined for another World Cup disappointment after Jovo Lukić’s first-half header handed Bosnia-Herzegovina the lead.
However, substitute Cyle Larin emerged as the hero for the hosts, striking just 121 seconds after his introduction to level the score in the 78th minute.
The equaliser secured a historic milestone for Canada, who avoided defeat in a World Cup finals match for the first time following losses in all their previous appearances at the tournaments in 1986 and 2022.
Jesse Marsch’s side had dominated large periods of the contest and came agonisingly close to scoring on multiple occasions, with two efforts cleared off the goal line before Larin finally broke through.
While Canada celebrated a breakthrough result, Qatar delivered one of the tournament’s earliest shocks with a dramatic stoppage-time equaliser against Switzerland in San Francisco.
Switzerland appeared on course for victory after Breel Embolo converted a first-half penalty and the Europeans largely controlled proceedings.
Despite creating several opportunities to extend their advantage, Switzerland failed to capitalise on their dominance.
Their profligacy proved costly in the dying moments.
Deep into stoppage time, Boualem Khoukhi rose highest to meet Homam El Amin’s cross, powering home a header in the fourth minute of added time to secure a remarkable 1-1 draw for Qatar.
The goal sparked wild celebrations and earned Qatar their first-ever point at a FIFA World Cup finals, marking a significant turnaround from their disappointing campaign as hosts in 2022, when they lost all three group-stage matches.
With both matches ending level, Group B remains wide open heading into the second round of fixtures.
Canada will face Qatar in a meeting between the co-hosts, while Switzerland take on Bosnia-Herzegovina in encounters that could have a major impact on qualification hopes
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