Achraf Hakimi

World Cup 2026 Analysis

Achraf Hakimi: Morocco's Dynamic Dynamo Ready for World Cup 2026

Achraf Hakimi, the 27-year-old Moroccan right-back, arrives at the FIFA World Cup 2026 as one of the most complete and influential players in his position globally. Fresh off a successful club season with Paris Saint-Germain and a pivotal role in Morocco's recent international campaigns, Hakimi is poised to lead the Atlas Lions on another memorable journey.

Current Form & Season Performance

Achraf Hakimi has enjoyed a strong 2025-2026 season with Paris Saint-Germain, demonstrating his consistent output on both ends of the pitch. In Ligue 1, he recorded 2 goals and 2 assists across 18 appearances, playing 1,375 minutes with an average FotMob rating of 7.18. His offensive prowess was even more evident in the UEFA Champions League, where he registered 1 goal and 6 assists in 13 appearances, accumulating 1,154 minutes. This included a goal against his former club Inter Milan in PSG's 5-0 Champions League victory, contributing to their second consecutive UEFA Champions League title.

Despite a recent hamstring injury that saw him miss over a month of action, Hakimi made a full return, playing a crucial 120 minutes in PSG's Champions League final win against Arsenal. His performance in this high-stakes match, including a successful penalty shootout, confirmed his fitness and readiness for the World Cup.

Key club statistics for the 2025-2026 season across all competitions highlight his all-around contribution:

• Total Games Played: 31 (Ligue 1, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Intercontinental Cup)
• Goals: 3
• Assists: 8
• Tackles per game (Ligue 1): 1.0 or 1.24
• Interceptions per game (Ligue 1): 0.6 or 0.85
• Clearances per game (Ligue 1): 0.7 or 0.79
• Passing Accuracy (Champions League): 89.54%
• Top Speed (Champions League): 37.03 km/h

World Cup 2026 Prospects

Achraf Hakimi is not just a key player for Morocco; he is the undisputed captain and talisman of the squad. At 27 years old, he is in the prime of his career, bringing a wealth of experience from two previous World Cups (2018, 2022) and multiple Africa Cup of Nations tournaments. His leadership and decisive performances were central to Morocco's historic semi-final run in Qatar 2022, where they became the first African and Arab nation to reach that stage. He famously scored a "Panenka" penalty against Spain in the Round of 16, a defining moment of that tournament.

Hakimi's selection for the 2026 World Cup squad was a certainty, leading a contingent of nine returning players from the 2022 team. He will be vital to Morocco's ambitions to replicate or even surpass their 2022 success. The Atlas Lions are drawn in Group C alongside Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, with Morocco being considered a potential "dark horse" to win the group. His ability to influence games offensively and defensively makes him indispensable. Hakimi has accumulated 17 goal contributions for his country across all competitions since the 2022 World Cup.

Playing Style & Tactical Analysis

Hakimi is widely recognized as one of the best right-backs in world football, known for his exceptional pace, dribbling ability, and offensive contributions. His playing style is characterized by constant overlapping runs, creating width and stretching opposition defenses, making him a critical player in offensive transitions. He is adept at delivering accurate crosses and through balls, creating numerous scoring chances for teammates.

Under Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique, Hakimi's tactical role has evolved, with Enrique crediting himself with "changing how the world sees" Hakimi. He now operates in more advanced and unpredictable roles, contributing significantly to PSG's attacking threats. This tactical flexibility allows him to seamlessly transition between defensive and offensive duties, adapting to various formations.

While celebrated for his attacking prowess, Hakimi has also improved his defensive acumen. He utilizes his speed and agility to recover quickly, makes timely tackles and interceptions, and exhibits good anticipation to disrupt opposing plays. However, his aggressive style can sometimes leave him exposed if bypassed, and defensive positioning has been noted as an area of ongoing improvement.

Key Stats & Milestones

• Age: 27 (born November 4, 1998)
• Club: Paris Saint-Germain
• Position: Right-back, capable of playing left-back or in advanced midfield roles.
• National Team: Morocco Captain
• International Caps: 95 for Morocco since his senior debut in 2016.
• World Cup Appearances: 2018, 2022, and now 2026.
• Career Trophies: 27 titles, including two UEFA Champions League titles (2018 with Real Madrid, 2026 with PSG), the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, the 2025 FIFA Arab Cup with Morocco, and multiple domestic league titles in Italy (Serie A 2020/21), Germany (Super Cup 2019/20), and France (Ligue 1 multiple times with PSG).
• Individual Accolades: 2025 African Player of the Year, ranked sixth in the 2025 Ballon d'Or (highest by a Moroccan player), selected for team of the season in Italy, Germany, and France.

Expert Predictions

Analysts and pundits are in universal agreement regarding Hakimi's critical importance to Morocco's World Cup 2026 campaign. He is consistently listed among the top defenders heading into the tournament and is seen as one of the African stars to watch. Many believe that if Morocco is to make another deep run, Hakimi will play a vital role.

His attacking contributions are particularly highlighted, with some experts valuing him for the "Most Assists" market, citing his consistent width and ability to create chances through overlapping runs. His technical proficiency, masterful left foot, and agility are praised, making him a player who can unlock defenses. Despite being a defender, his influence is so profound that he is sometimes considered the team's talisman. The consensus is that Hakimi, at 27 and in peak form, is poised to be one of the standout individuals of the tournament.