Who is Sweden’s Yasin Ayari, and why didn’t he celebrate against Tunisia? | World Cup 2026 News
Sweden’s Yasin Ayari Shines in World Cup Debut Against Tunisia
MONTERREY, Mexico — Yasin Ayari, a 22-year-old midfielder, made an impressive debut for Sweden in the World Cup, scoring two goals in a commanding 5-1 victory over Tunisia in their Group H match on June 14.
Ayari opened the scoring just seven minutes into the match with a powerful volley that found the top corner of Tunisia’s net. However, his celebration was subdued. Instead of indulging in the typical exuberance of a debutant, Ayari prostrated on the ground in a gesture of humility, reflecting his deep ties to Tunisia, where his father was born.
Ayari’s heritage is notable; he has a Tunisian father and a Moroccan mother but was raised in Sweden. Although he had been approached to play for Tunisia four years ago, Ayari chose to represent Sweden, a decision supported by his father, Azzouz Ayari.
“I wanted him to play for Sweden,” Azzouz Ayari told the Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, adding that his son should feel a sense of gratitude toward the country that had offered them a home.
Ayari began his football career at age seven with his local club, Rasunda, in Solna. He later progressed to Scandinavian giants AIK, where he made his senior debut in 2020. In 2023, he signed with Brighton & Hove Albion in the English Premier League and made his national team debut the same year.
“The decision to play for Sweden was only natural,” Ayari said, emphasizing the importance of representing the country where he had developed as a player.
The match’s draw, which placed Sweden and Tunisia together, carried an ironic twist for Ayari, who remarked it was “crazy” to face the nation connected to his heritage.
In addition to his opening goal, Ayari scored again in injury time, securing his second goal of the match. This time, he celebrated with his teammates, including Anthony Elanga and Mattias Svanberg, amid the cheers of the Swedish crowd.
The young midfielder, a standout in Sweden’s dominant performance, has quickly established himself as a player to watch in this World Cup campaign.
