Santo Domingo.— Footballer Rubén Vargas wrote a historic page for Dominican sports by becoming the first player of Dominican nationality to score a goal in a World Cup, during Switzerland’s 4-1 victory over Bosnia on the second matchday of Group B of the 2026 North American World Cup.
You might be interested in: Switzerland thrashes Bosnia and takes provisional lead of Group B in the 2026 World Cup
Vargas, born in Lucerne, Switzerland, to a Dominican father and holder of a Dominican passport, entered the pitch in the 72nd minute and had an immediate impact on the match. In the 84th minute, following a great offensive combination by the Swiss team, he scored Switzerland’s second goal, extending the lead and providing peace of mind to his team on their way to a resounding victory.
This achievement consolidates Vargas as one of the benchmarks of Dominican-rooted football on international stages. The Sevilla FC player had already made history in the 2024 European Championship by becoming the first Dominican to score in that tournament.
More Read
At 27 years old, Vargas is playing in his second World Cup after his participation in Qatar 2022. After six seasons in the German Bundesliga, he currently plays for Sevilla in Spain, where he continues to develop an outstanding professional career.
The Swiss national team now has four points in Group B, remaining in a favorable position to advance to the round of 32 of the tournament. Vargas’s performance not only strengthens Switzerland’s aspirations but also represents a moment of pride for the Dominican Republic.
Rubén Vargas’ milestone adds to the legacy of other footballers with Dominican roots who have competed in World Cups, such as Víctor Núñez, who participated with Costa Rica in Germany 2006, and Alejandro Balde, who represented Spain in Qatar 2022.
More Read
With this historic goal, Rubén Vargas reaffirms that Dominican talent continues to leave its mark on the most important sports stages in the world.
