Yasin Ayari already finds himself in elite company at the 2026 World Cup, sitting level on goals with Kylian Mbappe, Harry Kane and Erling Haaland — and he has done it with two finishes that could easily feature among the tournament’s finest.
The Sweden midfielder made a thunderous entrance at this summer’s finals, scoring twice in a commanding 5-1 opening victory over Tunisia. His display was emphatic enough to ensure the Netherlands will be paying close attention when they face Sweden in their second group-stage match today.
Ayari’s rise to this stage has been anything but straightforward. Brighton signed him from AIK Solna in January 2023, but his path at Albion included loan spells in the Championship with Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers. Neither stint truly clicked, and by the summer of 2024 there were real questions over whether his future would remain with the Seagulls.
Daily Mail Sport takes a closer look at Ayari’s development and why his World Cup breakthrough could signal that he is ready for a significant step forward.
Yasin Ayari made his mark at this summer’s tournament with two outstanding goals in Sweden’s 5-1 opening win against Tunisia
Ayari powers in his second goal against Tunisia, with both of his strikes already standing out as early contenders for goal of the tournament
Why is he attracting attention?
Ayari’s appeal lies in the balance he brings between industry and imagination. He may not dominate physical contests in quite the same obvious way as Carlos Baleba, but he still won 102 duels last season — matching his Brighton team-mate’s total. In possession, he is equally valuable, offering calmness and continuity in midfield while helping Roberto De Zerbi’s side keep their rhythm through the centre of the pitch.
According to data from scouting platform Wyscout, Ayari compares favourably to others in his role. Among all central and defensive midfielders under 24, Ayari was second only to Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch for non-penalty goals, third for expected goals and third for shots last season. He was also named Swedish midfielder of the year for 2025.
He is mentally strong, too. His father is Tunisian but Ayari chose to represent Sweden, where he was born. He was targeted by supporters throughout Sweden’s clash with Tunisia but still produced a stellar display.
Though he has an understated style, Ayari has shown himself to be a highly-effective Premier League operator – and his career changed direction when Brighton hired Hurzeler to replace Roberto De Zerbi in 2024.
Ayari was signed from Swedish club AIK Solna three-and-a-half years ago but was never favoured by De Zerbi. When Hurzeler joined two years ago, Ayari was expecting to leave the Seagulls that summer. Yet Hurzeler immediately saw what Ayari could offer and quickly made him a key part of his plans. From that moment, Ayari has scarcely looked back.
Ayari combines creativity with hard work. Last season he won 102 duels – the same number as his fellow Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba
Ayari is suddenly in the spotlight following his double against Tunisia. The Netherlands will need to be wary today when they face Sweden
Who does he compare to?
Ayari has similar qualities to Manchester United target Mateus Fernandes of West Ham and Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, though he is perhaps not yet as dynamic as Fernandes nor as able to dictate the tempo as Wharton – yet he combines their qualities superbly.
When Nottingham Forest realised they were likely to lose Elliot Anderson this summer, they began making a succession plan and Ayari featured high on that list. Forest submitted a bid for the midfielder in January but it was swiftly rejected. Brighton were pushing for Europe until the final day of the campaign whereas Forest were fighting relegation, even though they also reached the Europa League semi-finals.
In Sweden’s opening game, Ayari played on the left of a midfield trio in Graham Potter’s 3-5-2 system and spent most of the match patrolling the left channel.
With Jesper Karlstrom the deepest of the three, Ayari was given licence to push forward – to devastating effect.
Ayari has similar qualities to Manchester United target Mateus Fernandes of West Ham
Who wants him?
The Premier League’s leading clubs are all aware of Ayari. He has 12 months remaining on his contract though Brighton have an option to extend it by a further year.
Seven-times European champions AC Milan are watching developments closely and Champions League regulars Atletico Madrid have shown interest but if Ayari does move, he is likely to have options in the Premier League, too.
Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal are all keeping an eye on the situation, while Manchester United and Newcastle are monitoring matters, too. There could be plenty of midfield movement this summer and Ayari’s performances across the Atlantic will only help his cause.
Where can he improve?
Perhaps Ayari can be a little more adventurous on the ball. In 2025-26, he created 15 chances, which put him only 11th in Brighton’s rankings.
Though some of his output is dictated by his role in the team, Ayari will also want to improve his tally of goals and assists. In 75 games for Brighton, Ayari has six goals and four assists. For his country, his tally is five goals and two assists in 22 appearances.
We should back Ayari to deliver, though. Unlike many players, Ayari is a football obsessive who will watch as many games as possible and is always aware of how his peers are performing. Both Potter and Hurzeler are hugely impressed by the midfielder’s serious approach to the job.
Ayari celebrates scoring for Brighton. His manager Fabian Hurzeler has been hugely impressed by the midfielder’s serious approach to the job
What else do we need to know about him?
Ayari’s partner is Sandra Kulusevska, the sister of Tottenham and Sweden winger Dejan Kulusevski, and the couple are expecting their first child.
His younger brother, Taha, is on the books at Yasin’s former club AIK and is a left-winger valued at about £1million.
