Morocco's captain, Achraf Hakimi, is set to face a rape trial in France, a development that comes as he prepares to lead his national side in their second World Cup fixture against Scotland. The allegations against him date back to 2023, when a then-24-year-old woman accused the Paris Saint-Germain defender of rape at his residence in Paris.
Hakimi, 27, has consistently denied the accusations since they were first investigated by the public prosecutor's office in Nanterre, a western suburb of Paris. Despite an initial appeal to have the case dismissed, an investigating judge ordered the trial to proceed in February 2026. This decision has been met with both relief and hope from all parties involved.
For the plaintiff, represented by lawyer Rachel-Flore Pardo, the trial brings a sense of being heard by the justice system after more than three years of legal proceedings. Pardo noted that her client had endured defamation and was "dragged through the mud" by Hakimi's defence, but remains hopeful that the trial will empower other women and help dismantle the "wall of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence," particularly within men's football.
The exact start date for the trial has not yet been specified. However, should Morocco advance to the knockout stages, Hakimi could face difficulties entering co-host nations Canada or Mexico if matches are scheduled outside the US. This is due to a policy that can deny entry to individuals who have "committed or been convicted of a crime," as stated on Canada's government website.
Hakimi is a prominent figure in international football, having earned 97 caps for Morocco since his debut in 2016 at the age of 17. He played a crucial role in Morocco's historic run to the semi-finals of the 2022 World Cup and has accumulated 13 pieces of silverware with Paris Saint-Germain, including consecutive Champions League titles.