Sweden's Yasin Ayari Scores Twice in World Cup Debut Against Tunisia

Monterrey. Yasin Ayari, 22, who is debuting in the World Cup for Sweden, must have only dreamed of such a spectacular start on the biggest stage of football.

In the seventh minute of the first half of the Group H match in Monterrey, Ayari opened the scoring for his Scandinavian team with a spectacular volley, piercing the upper corner of Tunisia's post.

However, this young-faced midfielder did not celebrate the goal like other young players debuting in the World Cup. Instead, he raised both his hands and prostrated himself on the field, performing 'Sujud' (a way of prayer performed by Muslims).

What is the reason for this? The deep connection he has with Tunisia, which is in his blood, is the reason. Because of this connection, he had the possibility of playing for the opposing team until four years ago.

Ayari is of North African descent. His father is from Tunisia and his mother is from Morocco, but he was born in Sweden. At the age of 18, this talented footballer decided to represent the country of his birth instead of his parents' countries, and his father also supported that decision.

Ayari's father, Azzouz, told the Swedish newspaper 'Aftonbladet', 'I wanted him to play for Sweden.' He added, 'He should feel like he is giving something back to the country that takes care of him.'

Azzouz, who immigrated to the Scandinavian country, revealed that his son had received an offer to play for the Tunisian team, but neither the father nor the son considered it as an option.

Ayari started playing football at the age of seven for the youth team of his hometown club 'AIK' in Solna. Then he joined the Scandinavian football giant 'AIK', from where he debuted in the senior team in 2020.

This attacking midfielder was signed by English Premier League club Brighton & Hove Albion in 2023. In the same year, he also debuted for the Swedish national team.

Clarifying his decision to wear Sweden's yellow and blue jersey instead of Tunisia's red and white jersey, Ayari said that it was only 'natural' to represent the country where he had played since childhood.

Ayari also fully understood the irony of having to play against his father's country when the draw for the 2026 World Cup was revealed last December.

'It was quite strange that we ended up in the same group as them,' he said.

This young talent became the best player in Sweden's spectacular victory over Tunisia. In the 95th minute, he scored another personal goal, concluding his team's dominant performance.

Receiving the ball near Tunisia's penalty box, Ayari struck it into the other corner of the post, scoring his second goal in his World Cup debut match.

This time, however, he celebrated and was welcomed by the cheers of the excited Swedish spectators.