Sweden’s Yasin Ayari scores first World Cup goal in 2893 days

Swedish midfielder Yasin Ayari netted Sweden’s first World Cup goal in 2,893 days, scoring in the 7th minute of the group‑stage match against Tunisia at the 2026 tournament. The 22‑year‑old, who plays for Brighton & Hove Albion, was born in Stockholm to a Tunisian mother and Moroccan father. Although he was eligible to represent Tunisia or Morocco, his father urged him to honour Sweden, the country that raised and trained him, saying it was his duty. Ayari expressed deep respect for his mother’s homeland after the goal.

Ayari began his career with AIK, moved to Brighton in 2023, and spent the 2023‑24 season on loan at Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers before establishing himself as a key central midfielder for Brighton in the Premier League.