The 22-year-old scored two objectives in opposition to Tunisia however had muted celebrations in opposition to the nation of his father’s beginning.
Revealed On 15 Jun 2026
For a 22-year-old making his World Cup debut for Sweden, Yasin Ayari might 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 facet in opposition to their North African opponents.
The fresh-faced midfielder, although, didn’t revel within the second as a younger World Cup debutant would possibly and as a substitute selected to carry each his fingers up earlier than falling onto the bottom in sujoud (Muslim act of prostration).
The rationale? The deep Tunisian connection that runs in his blood, and one that might 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 beginning, fairly than his mother and father’, and his father backed the choice.
“I wished him to play for Sweden,” Azzouz Ayari instructed 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 facet, however neither father nor son thought of it an possibility.
Ayari started enjoying soccer at age seven on the youth facet of his hometown membership Rasunda, in Solna, earlier than shifting 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 resolution to put on the yellow and blue of Sweden as a substitute of the purple and white of Tunisia, Ayari stated it was “solely pure” to proceed representing the nation he had performed for as a toddler.
When the World Cup 2026 attracts had been introduced in December, the irony of enjoying 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 stated.
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 aim within the ninety fifth minute.
Ayari discovered the ball on the fringe of the Tunisian aim and despatched it flying into the far nook to bag his second World Cup aim in his debut sport.
This time, although, he did rejoice and soak within the applause of the jubilant Swedish crowd.
