World Cup 2026: Morocco star Achraf Hakimi eyes new milestone ahead of tournament

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is determined to help the Atlas Lions reach even greater heights at the 2026 FIFA World Cup after playing a pivotal role in the nation’s historic run to the semi-finals in Qatar four years ago.

The Paris Saint-Germain star heads into the tournament as one of Morocco’s most influential players and will once again carry the hopes of millions of supporters as the North Africans seek to surpass their remarkable fourth-place finish at the 2022 World Cup.

After battling injuries in recent months, Hakimi has returned to full fitness and is expected to be one of Morocco’s key figures at the tournament, which will be hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Reflecting on his journey and Morocco’s historic achievement in Qatar, Hakimi admitted the experience transformed both his career and the perception of Moroccan football on the global stage.

“It’s a dream come true for me to return to the World Cup. The Qatar 2022 tournament was definitely a turning point for me.”

The 27-year-old added that Morocco’s success proved the team could compete with the world’s elite nations.

“The last edition changed our lives forever. People saw that we can achieve great things in major competitions. This is the path we want to continue on.”

Born in Madrid to Moroccan parents, Hakimi began his football journey at Real Madrid’s famed youth academy before progressing through the ranks and making his senior debut under legendary coach Zinedine Zidane in 2017.

His rapid rise continued with successful spells at Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan, where he established himself as one of the best attacking full-backs in world football.

Hakimi’s performances eventually earned him a high-profile move to Paris Saint-Germain, where he has enjoyed tremendous success, winning multiple domestic titles while becoming a cornerstone of the French giants’ squad.

On the international stage, Hakimi has been one of Morocco’s standout performers for nearly a decade. After featuring at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, he became one of the faces of Morocco’s unforgettable campaign in Qatar, where the Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab nation to reach the semi-finals of a World Cup.

One of the defining moments of that tournament came in the Round of 16 against Spain when Hakimi calmly converted the decisive Panenka penalty to send Morocco into the quarter-finals.

He also provided the assist for Youssef En-Nesyri’s winning goal against Portugal as Morocco secured another historic victory and booked a place in the last four.

Beyond the World Cup, Hakimi has continued to shine for his country, helping Morocco establish itself among the continent’s leading football nations. His leadership, experience and attacking quality have made him one of the most important figures in the current generation of Moroccan footballers.

Now preparing for his third World Cup appearance, Hakimi hopes to inspire another memorable run and further cement his legacy as one of the greatest players in Moroccan football history. With Morocco entering the tournament full of confidence and ambition, the PSG defender believes the Atlas Lions are capable of creating more history on the biggest stage in world football.