Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in Paris for rape, French prosecutors confirmed.
In March 2023, a 24‑year‑old woman alleged that the 27‑year‑old defender—who joined Paris Saint‑Germain in 2021—raped her at his apartment in the French capital.
A preliminary probe by the public prosecutor’s office in Nanterre stalled for two years before an investigating judge ordered a trial in February 2026. Hakimi’s legal team unsuccessfully appealed the court’s decision.
On the pitch, the defender’ s status as a World Cup 2026 pioneer remains intact; he captained Morocco in the opener against Scotland.
Hakimi has repeatedly denied the allegations, posting on social media that “justice looks at me because of my fame”; he still says he will be “ready to speak” once the trial commences.
His lawyer, Rachel‑Flore Pardo, said the decision to allow the trial gives “relief and hope” and may embolden other women to bring similar charges.
The case has real travel implications. Morocco’s group‑stage games are in the U.S., but knockout legs could near Canada or Mexico. Players newly convicted of rape can be denied entry by Canadian authorities, a move that recently hit Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey.
The World Cup’s co‑host countries will miss the quarter‑finals, which are slated for the U.S., but early concerns about player movement remain urgent.
For fans and followers hungry for the fastest updates, note that the trial date has not been set yet. Check the court docket for your timeline.
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