As Morocco prepares to take on France in a World Cup quarterfinal at Boston Stadium (Gillette Stadium) on Thursday, July 9, in a rematch of a 2022 semi-final, what should be a competitive and hard-fought fixture between two of the world’s top teams carries an unfortunate distinction.
For the second time in seven World Cup matches in Foxboro, a player will go up against a national team from a country where he is currently facing rape charges.
Atlas Lions captain and defender Achraf Hakimi, who plays for Ligue 1 giants and back-to-back Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain, is set to stand trial in France on a charge of rape stemming from an alleged assault in 2023. For his case, the 27-year-old strongly denies the allegations and says he looks forward to his day in court.
Ahead of kickoff, in what will be Hakimi and Morocco’s second match at Boston Stadium this summer, here’s what you need to know about the Moroccan captain and his legal case.
Who is Achraf Hakimi?
Hakimi is a 27-year-old right back who plays for PSG and captains the Morocco Men’s National Team. Born in Madrid and raised in its suburb Getafe to Moroccan parents, Hakimi’s talents became apparent at a young age. At 8, he signed as a youth player for Club Deportivo Colonia Ofigevi, then moved over to the famed Real Madrid academy a year later. Initially a winger, he was moved to being a more offensive-minded right wing back during his time in Los Blancos‘ youth setup.
Hakimi made his senior Real Madrid debut in a friendly against PSG at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, OH on July 27, 2016. After spending time with the Real Madrid Castilla B team, he made nine appearances for Los Blancos, netting a pair of goals and earning his first Champions League winners medal as Real Madrid defeated English giants Liverpool FC 3-1 in the 2017-18 Champions League Final at NSC Olimpiyskiy in Kyiv, Ukraine.
From there, Hakimi was loaned to German club Borussia Dortmund for the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, scoring 7 goals in 54 appearances, before signing for Serie A side Inter Milan, scoring 7 goals in 37 appearances for the Italian giants. After a sole season in Milan, he was sold to PSG and signed a five-year deal with the club, quickly establishing himself as a vital part of its five straight Ligue 1 titles and back-to-back Champions League titles, the first in club history, the past two seasons.
Hakimi made his senior Morocco debut on Oct. 11, 2016 against Canada, coming on as a substitute, and has since made 101 appearances for the Atlas Lions, scoring 12 goals and appearing at the 2018, 2022 and 2026 World Cups and helped lead them to a controversial 2025 African Cup of Nations win on home soil. He also helped lead Morocco’s Olympic team to the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Hakimi was named the 2025 AFCON Player of the Year and, after starting against Scotland at Boston Stadium on June 19, became the most capped African player in World Cup history.
How did Achraf Hakimi’s rape charges come about?
On March 3, 2023, Hakimi was indicted by an investigating judge in Nanterre, a suburb of Pairs, on an accusation of rape. According to Le Parisien, a then-24-year-old woman said she had met the then-24-year-old Hakimi over Instagram in January and began speaking with him, before later calling a cab for her to his home. While there, she said Hakimi began to forcibly kiss and touch her without her consent before allegedly raping her. On March 27, 2023, Hakimi’s then-wife Hiba Abouk announced via Instagram that the two had separated before the alleged assault and that she has “always been and always will be on the side of victims.”
Hakimi and his lawyer, Fanny Colin, filed an appeal to a criminal court in Versailles for further investigation. On June 19, 2026, the same day Morocco played Scotland in Foxborough, the court rejected his appeal, ruling there was enough evidence against Hakimi for him to be ordered to stand trial. During the match that evening, Scotland fans could be heard booing the Atlas Lions’ captain whenever he touched the ball.
What do Achraf Hakimi and Morocco say about the charges?
Hakimi has always strongly denied the allegations, and has the backing of Morocco manager Mohamed Ouahbi.
Following the Atlas Lions’ 1-0 win over Scotland, Ouahbi deflected questions about the charges, rather praising his captain for his “extraordinary” performance and that Hakimi and the team were “relaxed,” him especially.
“He did a good job. Why talk about management? He woke up in the morning, he ate like everybody, he was focused, he played like everybody, he wanted to play strongly and he did,” Ouahbi said as translated by FIFA’s interpreting app. “We didn’t have to say anything. He’s very relaxed and hopefully he’s going to show during this World Cup, he’s the best wing (back) in the world. This is important for me, the players and the 44 million Moroccans that are following us.”
Hakimi did not address the media in Foxborough, instead putting out a statement on X later that night alleging that if he wasn’t famous, then there would be no case against him.
“Today, a story that is not mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth,” Hakimi wrote. “Sometimes I feel like I’ve become an easy target. I’ve been waiting for this trial since day one. And now I’m looking forward to it. Finally, I will be able to speak.”
When will Achraf Hakimi stand trial?
No date is currently set for Hakimi to stand trial. On June 26, Hakimi and Colin filed another appeal to France’s Court of Cassation to have the criminal case dismissed, but no further action has yet been taken.
Do any of Achraf Hakimi’s PSG teammates play for France?
Les Bleus boast five PSG players, including forward Ousmane Dembélé, who recorded his first international hat trick in just 31 minutes during France’s 4-1 Group I win over Norway at Boston Stadium on June 26. Other fellow PSG players include defender Lucas Hernandez, midfielder Warren Zaïre-Emery and forwards Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué
Hakimi also played with France captain and Golden Boot contender Kylian Mbappé at PSG from 2021-2024, when he moved to Real Madrid on a free transfer after running down his PSG contract.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Who is Achraf Hakimi? A look at the controversial Morocco captain
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