Achraf Hakimi to Face Trial for Rape in February 2026

Achraf Hakimi, the captain of Morocco's national football team and a player for Paris Saint-Germain, will stand trial for rape in February 2026. This follows a preliminary investigation initiated by the public prosecutor's office in Nanterre, a western suburb of Paris, which began in March 2023 after a woman accused him of rape.

Hakimi, 27, recently failed an appeal to dismiss the trial. He stated on social media that he chose to remain silent and believes in maintaining his dignity while trusting the justice system to make the right decision.

The plaintiff's lawyer, Rachel Flore Pardo, expressed hope that the trial will help women and address issues of denial and impunity surrounding sexual violence, particularly in men's football. The trial date has not yet been set, and Hakimi faces challenges as Morocco progresses in the World Cup, with fixtures scheduled outside the United States.