Achraf Hakimi — Morocco World Cup 2026 Squad

Achraf Hakimi is the best attacking right-back in world football, a claim supported by his output at Paris Saint-Germain — where he contributes goals, assists, and creative thrust from a position traditionally defined by defensive responsibility. His 14 goals in 82 caps for Morocco understates his influence: the 2022 World Cup semi-final run that captivated the Arab world was built on Hakimi's overlapping runs and the width he provides to Morocco's defensive structure.

Career Highlights

Hakimi scored the winning penalty in Morocco's shoot-out victory over Spain in the 2022 World Cup round of 16, a Panenka that eliminated the 2010 champions and sent Morocco into uncharted territory. He started every match of Morocco's run to the semi-finals, the first African team to reach that stage, and was named in the FIFA World Cup Dream Team alongside Gvardiol and Theo Hernandez. At Inter Milan, he scored seven goals and provided nine assists in the 2020-21 Serie A season, contributing directly to the title that ended Juventus's nine-year dominance. His 14 goals from right-back for Morocco make him the team's most prolific defender in history.

Club Career

Hakimi joined Real Madrid's academy at eight and progressed through every age group, but first-team opportunities under Zinedine Zidane never materialized beyond two substitute appearances. A two-year loan to Borussia Dortmund transformed his career: under Lucien Favre, Hakimi scored nine goals and provided 14 assists across two Bundesliga seasons, demonstrating that a right-back could function as a primary attacking weapon. Inter Milan signed him for 40 million euros in 2020, and his single season in Milan produced seven goals and nine assists under Antonio Conte's 3-5-2 system. PSG paid 60 million euros for him in 2021, making him the most expensive right-back in history, and he has started every meaningful match since, winning three Ligue 1 titles and contributing to the 2023 Champions League campaign.

International Career & World Cup History

Hakimi made his Morocco debut in 2016 at 17 and became a starter immediately, his pace and crossing giving Morocco an attacking dimension from the right flank. The 2018 World Cup was disappointing — Morocco failed to advance from a group containing Spain and Portugal — but Hakimi's individual performances drew attention. The 2022 World Cup was transformative: his battle against Vinicius Junior in the group-stage draw with Croatia showcased his defensive improvement, and his Panenka against Spain became the tournament's most iconic penalty. In the semi-final against France, he was one of Morocco's best players despite the 2-0 defeat, completing more progressive carries than any defender in the match.

World Cup 2026 Outlook

Hakimi will be 26 during the 2026 World Cup, entering his peak years as a full-back. Morocco's expectations have shifted: a semi-final appearance in 2022 means anything less feels like regression. Hakimi's attacking output from right-back — he averages 0.31 goals and assists per 90 minutes at PSG — gives Morocco a numerical advantage that few opponents can neutralize. His partnership with Noussair Mazraoui on the opposite flank provides width that allows Morocco's forwards to operate centrally. If Morocco are to replicate their 2022 heroics, Hakimi's performance against elite left-sided attackers will determine whether the defensive structure holds.