Swedish midfielder Yasin Ayari's prayerful goal celebration goes viral

Sweden’s 22‑year‑old midfielder Yasin Ayari scored twice in his World Cup debut against Tunisia in the 2026 tournament and, after his first goal, knelt on the pitch and performed a Muslim sujud gesture instead of celebrating. The modest tribute – described by Swedish newspaper Expressen as a gesture that “circulated around the world” – quickly spread on social media and was highlighted by outlets such as ESPN, the BBC and Al Jazeera.

Ayari, born in Stockholm to a Tunisian‑Moroccan father, could have elected to play for Tunisia but chose Sweden, saying he feels Swedish “from childhood”. He currently plays for Brighton in the Premier League and his market value has risen to about €35 million. The match was part of the 2026 FIFA World Cup hosted jointly by the United States, Canada and Mexico, and the respectful celebration has been praised as a display of cultural humility on the global stage.