The 22-year-old scored two objectives in opposition to Tunisia however had muted celebrations in opposition to the nation of his father’s start.
Revealed On 15 Jun 2026
For a 22-year-old making his World Cup debut for Sweden, Yasin Ayari may solely have dreamed of a greater begin to his introduction to the most important showcase of soccer.
With a full-throttled volley into the highest nook of Tunisia’s web simply seven minutes into the primary half of their Group H match in Monterrey, Ayari had opened the scoring for the Scandinavian side against their North African opponents.
The fresh-faced midfielder, although, didn’t revel within the second as a younger World Cup debutant may and as an alternative selected to carry each his palms up earlier than falling onto the bottom in sujoud (Muslim act of prostration).
The explanation? The deep Tunisian connection that runs in his blood, and one that would have seen him play for the opposition as late as 4 years in the past.
Ayari is of North African heritage, with a Tunisian father and a Moroccan mom, however was born in Sweden. At 18 years of age, the promising footballer determined to signify the nation of his personal start, moderately than his dad and mom’, and his father backed the choice.
“I wished him to play for Sweden,” Azzouz Ayari advised Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet, including: “He ought to really feel like he’s giving again to the nation that took care of him.”
Azzouz, who migrated to the Scandinavian nation, revealed that his son was provided a spot on the Tunisian aspect, however neither father nor son thought of it an possibility.
Ayari started taking part in soccer at age seven on the youth aspect of his hometown membership Rasunda, in Solna, earlier than transferring to Scandinavian soccer giants AIK, the place he made his senior workforce debut in 2020.
The attacking midfielder was signed by English Premier League membership Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023, making his Sweden nationwide workforce debut in the identical 12 months.
Explaining his choice to put on the yellow and blue of Sweden as an alternative of the crimson and white of Tunisia, Ayari mentioned it was “solely pure” to proceed representing the nation he had performed for as a baby.
When the World Cup 2026 attracts had been introduced in December, the irony of taking part in in opposition to the nation of his father’s heritage was not misplaced on Ayari.
“It was loopy that we ended up with them in our group,” he mentioned.
The younger expertise was the standout participant in Sweden’s thumping win over Tunisia, and he bookended their dominant efficiency with one other scorching particular person objective within the ninety fifth minute.
Ayari discovered the ball on the fringe of the Tunisian objective and despatched it flying into the far nook to bag his second World Cup objective in his debut sport.
This time, although, he did have fun and soak within the applause of the jubilant Swedish crowd.
