Malayali Tahsin on Qatar’s bench; when No 24 comes on sub board history will be made; Swiss take early lead

History could be made in the next two hours during Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2026 opener against Switzerland. Malayali footballer Tahsin Mohammed is named on the Qatari bench and would become the first Malayali to play in the World Cup if summoned.

Update: Meanwhile, Switzerland have taken an early lead through Breel Embolo who converted a penalty in the 17th minute. 

Tahsin, a 19-year-old winger, is the youngest of the two children of Thalassery native Jamshid and Valapattanam native Shaima.

Tahsin had featured off the bench in Qatar's pre-World Cup friendly against El Salvador last week. He featured in the last 15 minutes for Julen Lopetegui.

Qatar are clear underdogs going into the fixture against Murat Yakin's Swiss side, led by former Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka. Switzerland are unbeaten in their last six World Cup appearances and should feel confident ahead of this Group B fixture.

However, the football-crazy people of Kerala would be paying close attention to the fourth official whenever he brings up the substitution board. Watch out for No 24, when it appears on the touchline, you will know history has been made.