PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Khalil Ayari |
| Date of Birth | 02/02/2005 (Age: 21) |
| Place of Birth | Tunisia |
| Nationality | Tunisian |
| Height | 1.78 m / 5 ft 10 in |
| Weight | 72 kg |
| Position | Winger / Forward |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Squad Number | #7 (Dunkerque), #15 (Tunisia) |
| Current Club | USL Dunkerque (on loan from Paris Saint-Germain) |
| Previous Clubs | Stade Tunisien, Paris Saint-Germain (loan) |
| International Caps | 4 |
| International Goals | 0 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2028 (with Stade Tunisien; loan to Dunkerque ends 2027) |
| Market Value | €503.1K |
The Frozen Moment
The summer of 2026 was meant to be the culmination of a fairy-tale rise for Khalil Ayari. The 21-year-old winger from Tunisia had made an unprecedented leap—from the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 to Paris Saint-Germain on loan, and then straight into Tunisia’s World Cup squad. It was a story of rapid ascent that seemed almost too good to be true.
But when Tunisia took the field against Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands, Ayari was confined to the bench. He watched as his teammates were overwhelmed—5-1 to Sweden, 4-0 to Japan, 3-1 to the Netherlands. The boy who had been called “promising” by the Tunisian coaching staff did not play a single minute at the World Cup.
The disappointment was softened by what came next. In August 2026, Ayari was loaned to USL Dunkerque in Ligue 2 for regular first-team football. The boy from Stade Tunisien who had been plucked by PSG, who had been named to a World Cup squad at 21, now faced the challenge of proving himself at senior level week in and week out.
Origins
Born on February 2, 2005, Khalil Ayari emerged from the youth system of Stade Tunisien in Tunisia’s capital. His potential was evident early, and he progressed through the ranks of one of the country’s most historic clubs.
Ayari signed his first professional contract with Stade Tunisien on December 10, 2023, a deal that would keep him at the club until 2028. He made his senior debut for the club in the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1, making 25 league appearances and scoring 2 goals for Stade Tunisien.
His performances in the Tunisian top flight caught the attention of European scouts, and in 2025, he was given the opportunity of a lifetime.
The Rise to Europe
Stade Tunisien (2023-2025):
Ayari made his professional breakthrough at Stade Tunisien, making 25 league appearances and scoring 2 goals for the club. His performances in the Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 established his reputation as one of the country’s most promising young attackers.
Paris Saint-Germain (Loan, 2025-2026):
On September 19, 2025, after a successful trial, Ayari joined Paris Saint-Germain on loan with an option to buy. He was assigned to the club’s under-21 team, making 4 appearances and scoring 1 goal for the PSG U23 side.
While he never broke into PSG’s first team, the experience of training at one of Europe’s elite clubs was invaluable for his development. The loan was seen as an investment in his potential.
USL Dunkerque (Loan, 2026-Present):
In August 2026, Ayari was loaned to USL Dunkerque in Ligue 2 for the entire 2026/27 season. The move was designed to provide him with regular first-team football at senior level. The loan is for one season without an option to buy.
The Anatomy of His Game
Khalil Ayari is a left-footed winger known for his pace, direct dribbling, and ability to create chances in the final third. At 178 cm and 72 kg, he combines technical quality with athleticism.
In Possession:
Ayari’s strengths lie in his dribbling and chance creation. Comfortable on the left wing, he is known for his direct style of play and his ability to beat defenders one-on-one. His youth career statistics—1 goal in 4 appearances for PSG U23—demonstrate his ability to contribute in the final third. His passing and creativity have been noted by scouts, and his left foot is considered a key asset.
Out of Possession:
Ayari’s work rate and defensive contributions are developing aspects of his game. His international appearances have been limited—4 caps, 178 minutes across friendlies—but he has shown willingness to contribute defensively, recording 1 yellow card in his international appearances. His physical profile (178 cm, 72 kg) suggests he has the frame to develop into a more rounded player.
Psychological Edge:
Ayari’s career demonstrates remarkable ambition and adaptability. From Stade Tunisien to PSG on loan, to a World Cup squad, to Ligue 2, he has embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm. His inclusion in Tunisia’s World Cup squad at just 21 years old reflects his mental strength and the belief that the coaching staff has in his potential. He is described as “promising” and one of PSG’s “promising young attacking talents.”
International Record:
Ayari has earned 4 caps for Tunisia, all in friendlies leading up to the 2026 World Cup. He made his debut on March 29, 2026, in a 1-0 win against Haiti, playing 60 minutes and recording a 7.3 FotMob rating. He also featured against Canada (45 minutes, yellow card), Austria (28 minutes), and Belgium (45 minutes). He was named to Tunisia’s 2026 World Cup squad but did not make an appearance in the tournament, serving as an unused substitute in all three group-stage matches.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tunisian Ligue 1 (Stade Tunisien) | 25 | — | — | 2 | — | — |
| PSG U23 (Youth) | 4 | — | — | 1 | — | — |
| International Friendlies | 4 | 2 | 178 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 33 | 2 | 178+ | 3 | 0 | 1 |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season(s) | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-2025 | Stade Tunisien | Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 | 25 | 2 |
| 2025-2026 | Paris Saint-Germain (loan) | PSG U23 | 4 | 1 |
| 2026-Present | USL Dunkerque (loan) | Ligue 2 | — | — |
| TOTAL | — | — | 29+ | 3 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Group Stage |
| Friendlies (2026) | 4 | 2 | 178 | 0 | — |
| Tunisia Senior Career | 4 | 2 | 178 | 0 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Professional Contract | Stade Tunisien (until 2028) |
| 2025 | Stade Tunisien Debut | Senior debut |
| 2025 | PSG Loan | Move to Paris Saint-Germain |
| 2025 | PSG U23 Debut | Youth team appearances |
| 2026 | Tunisia Debut | vs Haiti (60 minutes) |
| 2026 | World Cup Squad | Tunisia’s 2026 squad |
| 2026 | Dunkerque Loan | Ligue 2 regular football |
These figures reveal a young player at the beginning of his professional journey. Ayari has accumulated over 29 professional and youth appearances, scored 3 goals, and earned 4 caps for Tunisia. His career is in its infancy, but his trajectory is remarkable.
The Present Tense
The Stade Tunisien and PSG Story:
Khalil Ayari is currently on loan at USL Dunkerque from parent club Paris Saint-Germain, who hold his rights through a loan arrangement with Stade Tunisien. He signed a professional contract with Stade Tunisien in December 2023 that runs until 2028. His loan to PSG in September 2025 included an option to buy, though this was not exercised, leading to his loan to Dunkerque in August 2026.
The Dunkerque Loan:
In August 2026, Ayari joined USL Dunkerque in Ligue 2 on a season-long loan without an option to buy. The move was designed to provide him with regular first-team football at senior level. He will wear the number 7 shirt for the club. Dunkerque believe the loan move will help him continue his development.
The FIFA Club World Cup Context:
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States featured 32 of the world’s leading clubs. Neither Stade Tunisien, PSG, nor Dunkerque qualified for the tournament, meaning Ayari has no experience at this level of global competition.
The World Cup Campaign:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico marked Ayari’s first appearance at the tournament. He was named in Tunisia’s 26-man squad as one of the youngest players in the squad. Despite being named to the squad, he did not make an appearance in the tournament, serving as an unused substitute in all three group-stage matches against Sweden, Japan, and the Netherlands. Tunisia were eliminated in the group stage.
International Record:
Ayari has earned 4 caps for Tunisia since his debut in March 2026. He made his debut on March 29, 2026, in a 1-0 win against Haiti, playing 60 minutes and recording a 7.3 FotMob rating. He also featured against Canada (45 minutes, 1 yellow card, 6.2 rating), Austria (28 minutes, 6.0 rating), and Belgium (45 minutes, 5.6 rating). His total international minutes stand at 178.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Khalil Ayari is known as one of Tunisia’s most promising young talents. He was described by the Tunisian coaching staff as “promising” when named to the World Cup squad. He is regarded by PSG’s academy staff as one of the club’s “promising young attacking talents.”
Ayari’s full name in Arabic is خليل العياري. He is left-footed and comfortable on the left wing, where his pace and dribbling ability are his standout attributes.
His market value is estimated at €503,100. His career has taken him from Tunisia to Paris and now to Dunkerque—a rapid journey that reflects both his talent and the footballing world’s belief in his potential.
The Verdict from the Camp
Tunisian Coaching Staff:
Ayari was described as “promising” when he was included in Tunisia’s 2026 World Cup squad.
PSG Official Announcement:
“Khalil Ayari, attaquant de 21 ans, est prêté une saison sans option d’achat par le Paris Saint-Germain à l’USL Dunkerque (Ligue 2). International tunisien, Khalil Ayari connaît ses premières capes avec les équipes de jeunes des Aigles de Carthage avant d’intégrer progressivement la sélection nationale A.”
Dunkerque:
The club believes the loan move will provide Ayari with the regular first-team football needed to continue his development at senior level.
Statistic:
Ayari earned 4 caps for Tunisia in friendlies leading up to the 2026 World Cup.
Statistic:
Ayari was named in Tunisia's World Cup squad but did not make an appearance.
Statistic:
Ayari’s market value is estimated at €503,100.
Statistic:
Ayari made 25 appearances and scored 2 goals for Stade Tunisien before his move to PSG.
Where Next?
Khalil Ayari is 21 years old and at the beginning of his professional journey. His loan at Dunkerque runs for the entire 2026/27 season without an option to buy, meaning he will return to PSG in the summer of 2027.
His immediate focus will be on securing regular first-team football at Dunkerque and proving himself in Ligue 2. A successful loan could open doors to a permanent move to France or a return to PSG’s first-team setup.
For Tunisia, Ayari represents the future. With World Cup experience (despite not playing) and 4 caps already to his name, he is expected to be a fixture in the national team setup as Tunisia rebuilds for the next cycle.
From the youth ranks of Stade Tunisien to the Paris Saint-Germain academy, from Tunisia’s World Cup squad to Ligue 2, Khalil Ayari’s journey is one of rapid ascent and immense potential. The boy who was called “promising” by his coaches now faces the challenge of proving that promise at senior level week in and week out.
