Why Morocco Captain Achraf Hakimi Is Being Booed at the 2026 FIFA World Cup
Achraf Hakimi, the captain of the Morocco national football team, has been subjected to boos from sections of supporters during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the reaction linked to recent legal developments in France rather than his performances on the pitch.
The hostile reception first became noticeable during Morocco’s group-stage match against Scotland and has continued in subsequent World Cup fixtures. Fans could be heard booing Hakimi whenever he touched the ball, creating one of the tournament’s most talked-about off-field storylines.
The boos followed a decision by a French appeals court confirming that Hakimi must stand trial over an alleged rape dating back to 2023. The Paris Saint-Germain defender has consistently denied the allegation and is appealing the ruling. No trial date has been set.
Hakimi has publicly maintained his innocence, saying he believes the allegations are false and that he looks forward to presenting his case in court. His legal representatives have also argued that the evidence supports his defense and have criticized the decision to proceed to trial.
Despite the off-field controversy, Hakimi has continued to play a central role in Morocco’s World Cup campaign. He has captained the Atlas Lions throughout the tournament, contributing both defensively and offensively as Morocco advanced to the knockout rounds. In the dramatic victory over the Netherlands, Hakimi remained influential despite striking the crossbar and missing an opportunity to seal the penalty shootout before teammate Ismael Saibari converted the winning kick.
Morocco’s coaching staff and teammates have continued to back their captain, keeping their focus on the team’s performances as they pursue another historic World Cup run. The Atlas Lions have once again emerged as one of the tournament’s surprise packages, overcoming several higher-ranked opponents to progress in the competition.
While the boos have become a recurring feature whenever Hakimi plays, the defender has largely avoided responding to the crowd during matches, instead concentrating on his performances for Morocco. The legal proceedings remain separate from the World Cup, and the case will continue through the French judicial system after the tournament.
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