Achraf Hakimi: Morocco's Captain and PSG Star at the 2026 World Cup

Who Is Achraf Hakimi?

Achraf Hakimi was born on 4 November 1998 in Madrid to Moroccan migrant parents, making him 27 years old during the 2026 World Cup. He came through Real Madrid's academy before launching a career that has taken him through Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan to Paris Saint-Germain, where he plays as an attacking right-back in Ligue 1.

Despite being raised in Spain, Hakimi chose to represent Morocco at international level, a decision that has made him a national icon. By the start of the 2026 tournament he had become the Moroccan player with the most World Cup appearances, a record he extended during the group stage in Group C alongside Brazil, Haiti and Scotland.

Hakimi's Role in the 2026 Squad

Coach Mohamed Ouahbi named Hakimi captain and built much of Morocco's attacking width around him. From right-back he overlaps relentlessly, supplies crosses and cuts inside to shoot, giving the Atlas Lions an extra attacking outlet that few teams can match from a defensive position.

At PSG, Hakimi is treated as one of the world's elite full-backs, and that pedigree translates directly to the national team. As of 25 June 2026, with Morocco through to the Round of 32 in Monterrey, his pace and end product are expected to be decisive in a tight knockout tie.

His Journey With Morocco

Hakimi was central to Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals at the 2022 World Cup, the best-ever finish by an African or Arab nation. His penalty against Spain in that tournament's shootout remains one of the defining images of Moroccan football.

Since then he has carried the team through the 2025 AFCON and into the 2026 World Cup. Under new coach Ouahbi, who replaced Walid Regragui in March 2026, Hakimi serves as the on-field leader and the link between the old guard and a wave of younger talent.

What to Expect in the Round of 32

Morocco face their Round of 32 fixture on 29 June 2026 in Monterrey, Mexico, and Hakimi's availability and fitness are the storyline supporters track most closely. When he plays, Morocco's right flank becomes a genuine attacking weapon rather than a defensive duty.

If the Atlas Lions are to better their 2022 run, Hakimi's leadership and ability to influence both ends of the pitch will be pivotal. For a captain chasing history, the 2026 knockout rounds are a chance to cement his legacy as one of Africa's greatest-ever players.

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