World Cup 2026: Why Yasin Ayari didn't celebrate his goal against Tunisia

Swedish midfielder Yasin Ayari scored one of the goals in Sweden’s emphatic 5-1 victory over Tunisia at the 2026 World Cup. Yet, when the time came to celebrate, Ayari chose restraint.

This reaction is rooted in the personal story of the young international. Born in Sweden, Ayari has North African roots: his father is Tunisian and his mother is Moroccan. Before committing to represent Sweden, Tunisia had tried to persuade him to wear the Carthage Eagles’ shirt.

A gesture of respect for his heritage

Against his father’s homeland, Ayari’s goal carried special meaning. After finding the back of the net, the player refrained from his usual jubilant celebration. The footage showed a visibly conflicted footballer, who even appeared to make a gesture of apology or forgiveness towards the Tunisian supporters.

This behavior was widely praised on social media. Many saw it as a mark of respect for his Tunisian heritage and a tribute to his family roots, despite his commitment to the Swedish national team.

Nouya M'toama

Editorfr, en

Versatile journalist specializing in sports and political news, with extensive experience across radio, print and digital media platforms.