Viral Claim Of Qatari Player Earning Cash & Rolls-Royce For World Cup Goal Allegedly Fake

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Imagine unwittingly becoming the subject of a viral luxury reward rumour after a historic football match. That became the reality for veteran Qatari defender Boualem Khoukhi after Qatar's dramatic World Cup performance against Switzerland.

Khoukhi was involved in the late own goal that secured a 1-1 draw after the ball he headed bounced off Swiss player Miro Muheim and into the net.

Following the match, unverified social media reports claimed Qatar's sovereign wealth fund intended to show appreciation to the veteran player by rewarding him USD3 million (RM14.1 million) and a Rolls-Royce Phantom worth USD550,000 (RM2.6 million).

The rumour mirrors viral hoaxes on X that recycled a debunked rumour from the 2022 World Cup, where Saudi players were falsely alleged to have received Rolls-Royces after beating Argentina.

However, official Qatari authorities and the Qatar Football Association have yet to verify the claims

Some of the viral posts erroneously claimed that the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which actually belongs to Saudi Arabia, was involved.

Qatar's actual sovereign wealth fund is the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA).

Many news reports falsely claimed that Khoukhi scored the goal, when in fact it was an own goal by Switzerland's Miro Muheim

According to official tournament logs for the Group B match played at Levi's Stadium, Switzerland took the lead via a Breel Embolo penalty in the 17th minute.

The equaliser at the 93rd minute was officially ruled an own goal by Muheim.

Player data confirms Khoukhi played the full 90 minutes but did not score.

The crucial equaliser, however, marks a major milestone for Qatar, who came from a goal behind

That single injury-time point is the first time Qatar has avoided defeat in its World Cup history.

The historic result secured a valuable point from a heavily favoured European team.

Should the rumoured gift be true, it would position Khoukhi alongside an elite tier of regional athletes who have historically received royal rewards.