Who is Yasin Ayari? Sweden's 22-year-old World Cup 2026 goalscorer
Ayari scored Sweden’s first World Cup 2026 goal.
When Swedish midfielder Yasin Ayari took the field for his first FIFA World Cup game in 2026, the 22-year-old made more than just his debut on the game’s largest stage. Ayari faced the alternative road that his international career could have taken.
The 22-year-old Brighton midfielder launched an early claim for goal of the tournament in the seventh minute, slamming in a bouncing ball from 20 yards.
Liverpool’s Alexander Isak and Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres had both threatened the goal against Tunisia earlier in the game.
However, it was left to Ayari to complete the task as the ball sat up invitingly for him following a poor clearing by the North Africans. A first World Cup goal scored in that style would ordinarily result in tremendous celebrations. But he didn’t celebrate out of respect for his father’s nation.
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Who is Yasin Ayari?
Position: Midfielder
Club: Brighton
Age: 22
Yasin Ayari was born and raised in Solna, Sweden. He began his career with Swedish club AIK Fotboll. Ayari started playing football at Råsunda’s youth academy at age 6 and later switched to AIK around age 8.
Ayari made his professional debut for AIK on December 6, 2020, in a 2-2 Allsvenskan encounter against Elfsborg. On October 22, 2021, he signed his first professional deal with AIK, which runs until December 31, 2025.
The youngster was raised in Sweden, but was born to a Tunisian father and a Moroccan mother. He could have chosen his father’s natal country on the international scene, but he picked Sweden from junior to senior level.
Tunisian representatives contacted Ayari in 2021 with an offer to play for them in the World Cup the following year.
But the Premier League star and his father, Azzouz, opted to continue with Sweden. They believed that another World Cup prospect would come along. It came in 2026 against Tunisia.
How old is Yasin Ayari?
He is 22 years old.
Where was he born?
He was born in Sweden to a Tunisian father and Moroccan mother.
Why did he not celebrate against Tunisia?
Out of respect for his father’s nation.
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After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.