Yasin Ayari Scores Twice for Sweden, Refuses to Celebrate Against Tunisia

Swedish midfielder Yasin Ayari produced a dream World Cup debut on June 15, 2026, scoring two goals in Sweden’s opening Group F match against Tunisia in Monterrey. The 22-year-old put Sweden ahead in the 7th minute with a spectacular volley into the top corner, but chose not to celebrate, instead raising his hands in a restrained gesture that came across as an apology to the Tunisian crowd.

Ayari’s subdued reaction was tied to his family background. Born in Sweden, he is the son of a Tunisian father and a Moroccan mother, and until four years ago he was still eligible to represent Tunisia. Tunisia’s federation had previously offered him a place in its squad, but Ayari and his father, Azouz, decided he would play for Sweden. His father had said he wanted his son to “give back to the country that cared for him and raised him,” while Ayari described Sweden as the natural choice.

The match also carried personal significance because when the 2026 World Cup draw was made in December, Ayari called being paired with Tunisia “absolute madness.” On the pitch, he controlled the game from midfield and completed Sweden’s one-sided win with another excellent goal in the 95th minute, striking hard into the far corner after the result was already secure.

Ayari came through the youth system at Råsunda, moved to AIK, made his senior debut in 2020, and joined Brighton in 2023 as he earned his first call-up to Sweden’s senior national team. Sweden now leads Group F after one match, while Tunisia remains on zero points.