On the morning of June 19, 2026, just hours before Morocco’s crucial Group C clash against Scotland at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the football world was rocked by a major off-field development: Moroccan captain and Paris Saint-Germain right-back Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in France on a rape charge. The announcement, confirmed by the Versailles appeals court, comes at a pivotal moment for both Hakimi and his national team, thrusting legal proceedings into the global spotlight during the world’s biggest sporting event.
The case against Hakimi dates back to March 2023, when a 24-year-old woman accused him of raping her at his home in a Paris suburb. French prosecutors quickly opened a preliminary investigation, and an investigative judge ordered a trial in February 2026. Hakimi’s legal team appealed the referral to criminal court, but that appeal was rejected this week, clearing the path for a formal trial. As of June 19, no date for the trial has been set.
In a statement released on his social media accounts, Hakimi maintained his innocence and expressed frustration with the process. “Today, a story that isn’t mine is being told at the expense of my family, my life, and above all, the truth,” he 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’ll be able to speak out.” According to Hakimi, the justice system told him, “If you were not famous, there would never have been a case.” He added that he chose to remain silent for years, trusting that the right decision would come if he maintained his dignity and patience.
Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, echoed his sentiments, arguing that the “multitude of exculpatory elements uncovered during the investigation and judicial inquiry would, in any other case, have led to the dismissal of the proceedings.” Colin criticized what she described as contradictions and false statements made by the complainant, her concealment of information from judicial authorities, and psychological assessments noting her ambivalence and lack of clarity regarding the reported events. “Achraf Hakimi’s defense regrets that no consequences were drawn from the contradictions and false statements made by the complainant, her concealment of information from the judicial authorities, her obstruction of the search for the truth, and the psychological assessments noting both her ambivalence and her lack of clarity regarding the events she reported,” Colin told the Associated Press.
On the other side, the plaintiff’s lawyer, Rachel-Flore Pardo, said the decision to proceed to trial brought her client “relief and hope.” In a statement, Pardo noted, “After more than three years of legal proceedings, and after being defamed and dragged through the mud by Achraf Hakimi’s defense, the court’s decision brings my client a sense of relief and hope. Relief that she has been heard by the justice system and will have her case heard at trial. Hope that this trial will help other women and further weaken the fortress of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, including within the world of men’s football.”
The timing of the announcement could not be more dramatic. Morocco, led by Hakimi, drew 1-1 with Brazil in their World Cup opener at New York New Jersey Stadium, with the defender playing a key role. Despite the legal cloud, Hakimi was named in the starting lineup for the Scotland match at Boston Stadium, underscoring his importance to the Atlas Lions’ campaign. The Moroccan squad is currently based in the United States for the group stage, but if they advance to the knockout rounds, potential visa complications could arise. Canadian immigration law allows authorities to deny entry to individuals facing serious criminal charges—an issue that has already affected other World Cup players this year.
Ghana’s Thomas Partey, for example, missed his country’s opening match against Panama after being denied a Canadian visa due to ongoing rape charges in the UK. Ghana’s appeal to overturn the visa denial was rejected, but Partey is expected to be eligible for Ghana’s next match against England in Boston. Similarly, Ivory Coast’s Elye Wahi faced initial visa hurdles for Canada following allegations of spot-fixing in Ligue 1, although he was ultimately cleared to join his team for their second match. Canadian officials have emphasized that hosting a major event does not mean immigration laws will be relaxed, stating, “Every person seeking entry to Canada is assessed individually based on the facts available and the law that applies, while maintaining the safety and security of Canadians as a top priority.”
For Hakimi, the ongoing legal saga is not only a personal ordeal but also a test of FIFA’s and the football world’s approach to handling such matters during high-profile tournaments. The defender, who has earned 97 caps for Morocco and was instrumental in their historic run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals, has seen his career rise meteorically in recent years. Since joining Paris Saint-Germain from Inter Milan in 2021, he has won 13 major titles, including back-to-back UEFA Champions League crowns, and was named CAF Player of the Year. His leadership on the pitch has made him a national hero in Morocco and a symbol of African football’s growing influence on the world stage.
The case has also sparked debate about the intersection of sports, celebrity, and justice. Hakimi’s claim that his fame made him an “easy target” resonates with some supporters, while others argue that high-profile athletes must be held to the same legal standards as anyone else. The plaintiff’s legal team, meanwhile, hopes that the trial will serve as a catalyst for broader change in how sexual violence allegations are addressed within men’s football—a sport long criticized for a culture of silence and impunity around such issues.
As the World Cup continues, all eyes remain on Hakimi, both for his performances on the field and the legal battles that await off it. The Moroccan Football Federation and Paris Saint-Germain have yet to comment on the latest developments, and a trial date remains to be set. For now, Hakimi continues to lead his nation on football’s grandest stage, even as questions about his future—both professional and personal—hang in the balance.
The story is far from over. With Morocco’s World Cup campaign still alive and a high-profile trial looming, the next chapters in Hakimi’s saga promise to be every bit as gripping as the matches themselves.