Moutaz Neffati Profile, Stats and Career
Swedish-born Tunisian right-back at IFK Norrköping — 69 tackles and 4 assists in the 2025 Allsvenskan, now competing at his first World Cup at 21.
By
Muhammad Asad
Published June 2026Moutaz Neffati is a 21-year-old Swedish-born Tunisian right-back playing for IFK Norrköping in the Swedish Allsvenskan. One of the youngest defenders in Tunisia's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad, he was born in Norrköping itself — the same city as his club — and came through the club's youth system from 2011 before making his senior debut in 2023. He represented Sweden at youth level before switching to Tunisia at senior level in 2025. This profile covers his age, career, and international record.
Born into a Tunisian-Swedish family in Norrköping, Neffati joined Hageby IF at a young age and then IFK Norrköping's academy in 2011. Loan spells at IF Sylvia (2023) and KR Reykjavík, Iceland (April–July 2024) gave him competitive experience before returning as IFK Norrköping's regular right-back. In the 2025 Allsvenskan he made 28 appearances, scored 1 goal, provided 4 assists, and recorded a 7.02 FotMob average — one of the standout full-back performances in Swedish domestic football.
Quick Answer
Moutaz Neffati is a professional right-back born on 4 September 2004 in Norrköping, Sweden, to Tunisian parents. He plays for IFK Norrköping in the Swedish Allsvenskan and made his senior Tunisia debut in 2025 after switching from Sweden's youth national teams. Neffati's market value is estimated at €3.4 million. He was selected for Tunisia's 2026 FIFA World Cup squad at age 21.
Early Life and Background
Moutaz Neffati was born on 4 September 2004 in Norrköping, Sweden — the same city where he still plays his club football. His Tunisian parents gave him a dual cultural identity from birth, growing up in Sweden's fifth-largest city while maintaining close family connections to Tunisia.
He joined local club Hageby IF at a young age before IFK Norrköping's academy scouts identified him and brought him in from 2011 at age six. Thirteen years in Norrköping's academy structure — from youth football through to the senior team — is an unusually long and stable development path, giving him a thorough understanding of the club's philosophy and Swedish football's technical demands.
From Norrköping's academy to Tunisia senior call-up
Neffati signed his first professional contract with IFK Norrköping in June 2022 for the 2023 season. A loan to IF Sylvia in the third division gave him regular match minutes before returning to Norrköping's first team. A further loan to KR Reykjavík in Iceland in April 2024 added European competitive experience before he returned to Norrköping in July 2024 as a regular Allsvenskan starter.
His 2025 Allsvenskan season — 28 appearances, 1 goal, 4 assists, 7.02 FotMob average rating, 69 tackles — was one of the standout individual seasons by a young right-back in Swedish football. That performance earned him his Tunisia senior debut and ultimately his place in the 2026 World Cup squad, having previously represented Sweden at U15, U17, and U19 level before switching international allegiance.
Moutaz Neffati Personal Info and Profile
| Full name | Moutaz Neffati |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 4 September 2004 |
| Age | 21 |
| Place of birth | Norrköping, Sweden |
| Nationality | Tunisia |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in / 1.82 m |
| Weight | ~148 lbs / 67 kg |
| Position | Right-Back |
| Preferred foot | Right |
| Current club | IFK Norrköping |
| Jersey number | 23 |
| Contract expires | December 2026 |
Neffati's 6 ft frame and right-footed profile give Tunisia's right flank pace and attacking directness. His 69 tackles in the 2025 Allsvenskan — ranked 8th highest among all players in the league — demonstrate the defensive intensity and work rate that make him valuable at both ends of the pitch.
Transfer News and Market Value
Moutaz Neffati's contract at IFK Norrköping runs through December 2026. His market value is estimated at €3.4 million — a significant valuation for a 21-year-old domestic Swedish league right-back, reflecting strong growth from his debut valuation.
Multiple European clubs were reported to have expressed interest in him following his breakthrough 2025 Allsvenskan season, though no confirmed transfers materialised ahead of the World Cup. His contract expiry in December 2026 creates a natural post-World Cup decision point.
A World Cup appearance at 21 could accelerate significant transfer interest from European leagues, with his performance level and defensive statistics suggesting he is ready for a Bundesliga, Serie A, or Premier League opportunity.
His agent and Norrköping will evaluate options after the tournament. Given his valuation and profile, a permanent European move in the 2026–27 winter or summer window is the most likely next step.
Salary and Net Worth
Moutaz Neffati's salary at IFK Norrköping is estimated between $8,000 and $15,000 per month, consistent with an established Allsvenskan starter at a domestic Swedish club.
His KR Reykjavík loan salary (2024) would have been at Icelandic league rates — modest compared to Scandinavian domestic leagues.
Total career earnings to date are estimated at under $500,000 USD, reflecting his age and the domestic Scandinavian football market.
His World Cup squad selection provides a supplement through the Tunisian Football Federation's FIFA prize pool distribution.
At €3.4 million market value, a transfer to a European club could generate a fee of €3–5 million for IFK Norrköping and a salary increase to €100,000–300,000 per month for Neffati.
Commercial interest in Neffati has begun to emerge given his World Cup profile and his unique story as a Swedish-born Tunisian representing his heritage country.
Estimated net worth is approximately $300,000–500,000 USD. His career is at the beginning of its financially ascending phase.
Moutaz Neffati Club Career
Neffati made his senior debut at IFK Norrköping in 2023, initially with limited first-team appearances before the loan to IF Sylvia in Sweden's third division. His return to Norrköping's first team for the 2024 season — following the KR Reykjavík experience — established him as their regular right-back.
His 2025 Allsvenskan season was the breakthrough: 28 appearances, 7.02 average FotMob rating, 1 goal, 4 assists, and 69 tackles — all from the right-back position. That combination of attacking contribution and defensive work rate placed him among the standout full-backs in Swedish domestic football.
His Tunisia senior debut in late 2025 came after submitting a request to switch allegiance from Sweden — having previously represented Sweden at U15, U17, and U19 levels. The switch to Tunisia at senior level was driven by his desire to compete at the highest international level in a squad where he had a genuine starting prospect.
His 2026 World Cup squad selection at 21 — as the regular right-back starter for Tunisia under coach Sabri Lamouchi — confirms that the switch was vindicated. He wore the number 23 jersey for the national team and started in Tunisia's pre-tournament friendly matches.
Club Career Stats
| Period | Club | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | IF Sylvia (loan) | 10+ | 0 |
| 2024 | KR Reykjavík (loan) | 10+ | 0 |
| 2023–present | IFK Norrköping | 40+ | 1 |
2025 Allsvenskan season (IFK Norrköping)
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Tackles | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 1 | 4 | 69 | 7.02 (FotMob) |
International Career
Moutaz Neffati made his senior Tunisia debut in 2025 after FIFA approved his switch from Sweden's youth international setup. He went on to feature in Tunisia's 2026 World Cup qualifying matches and became a regular in the national team setup under Sabri Lamouchi.
His World Cup squad selection at 21 makes him the youngest defender in Tunisia's 26-man group. His high tackle count (69 in 2025), attacking output (4 assists), and consistent FotMob rating (7.02) convinced the coaching staff that he was ready for the tournament.
At 21, Neffati enters the 2026 World Cup at a formative stage of his career. His performances in Group D against Denmark, Serbia, and Saudi Arabia will provide important international exposure and potentially the platform for a major European transfer in the post-World Cup window.
| National team | Caps | Goals | Tournament involvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sweden U15/U17/U19 | Various | 0 | Before allegiance switch |
| Tunisia | 8+ | 0 | WC Qualifying 2026; AFCON qualifying; 2026 FIFA World Cup |
Honours and Trophies
| Trophy | Times Won | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Swedish Allsvenskan participation | — | IFK Norrköping (2023–26) |
Playing Style and Key Strengths
Moutaz Neffati is a dynamic, attack-minded right-back whose 2025 Allsvenskan season demonstrated a rare combination of defensive intensity and attacking contribution. His 69 tackles — among the highest in the Swedish league — alongside 4 assists and a 7.02 rating reflect a full-back who contributes at both ends of the pitch.
His right-footed profile and pace allow him to overlap and deliver crosses from the right flank, while his tackling stats show the defensive discipline to track back and engage opponents effectively. At 6 ft he also provides aerial presence that is unusual for a right-back.
Born in Norrköping, plays for Norrköping, represents Tunisia
Neffati's story is one of the most local in the tournament — born, raised, and currently playing in the same city of Norrköping — while simultaneously representing Tunisia at the World Cup through his family heritage. His path from Hageby IF to IFK Norrköping's academy to the Allsvenskan and now the 2026 World Cup is a uniquely personal journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Moutaz Neffati's journey from Norrköping's streets through Hageby IF, IFK Norrköping's academy, loan spells in Iceland and Sweden's lower divisions, and ultimately to Tunisia's 2026 World Cup squad is one of the sport's more quietly remarkable stories. A 21-year-old who grew up in the same city as his club, representing the country of his parents' heritage at football's biggest tournament.
His 2025 Allsvenskan breakthrough — 69 tackles, 4 assists, 7.02 FotMob average — established him as one of Scandinavia's most exciting young right-backs. The World Cup will give him the platform to prove that quality on an international stage and potentially trigger the European move his performances demand.
