Morocco has decided to rest Achraf Hakimi for their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Zambia on Monday, sending a clear signal to Paris Saint-Germain about managing their star defender’s workload.
The Atlas Lions face Zambia at 2 p.m. local time in a match that carries little pressure, as Morocco has already secured their spot in the 2026 World Cup after crushing Niger 5-0 yesterday.
The confidence-boosting win against Niger gives the national coach Walid Regragui room to rotate his squad and protect key players.
Speaking at a press conference, Regragui made his intentions crystal clear, stressing: “Against Zambia, I will give Hakimi a rest.”
The PSG defender, worn down by a busy schedule, will likely not start the match. While he might still come on as a substitute, the plan appears to be to offer the national team’s leading star complete rest.
Fatigue catches up with Morocco star
Hakimi has played non-stop high-intensity matches for both PSG and Morocco. Even the most tireless players reach their limits, and the right-back has hit that wall. Regragui’s decision reflects growing concern about player burnout.
The national team wants to avoid physical overload before the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which Morocco will host from December 21, 2025, to January 18, 2026.
This home tournament represents a major opportunity for the Atlas Lions to end Morocco’s five-decade-long, elusive quest to clinch another continental title, making Hakimi’s health crucial for their success.
Relief for PSG during difficult international break
This news brings welcome relief to PSG, who face mounting injury problems during the current international break. Luis Enrique has already lost two key players in 90 minutes after Désiré Doué and Ousmane Dembélé picked up injuries while playing for France.
Hakimi’s scheduled rest against Zambia means he will return to the French club without major physical issues and with renewed energy, giving PSG’s medical staff and coaching team breathing room as they manage an increasingly stretched squad.
Yet Regragui’s decision also sends an unmistakable message to the PSG coach about player management: the national team wants Luis Enrique to preserve their right-back, who has played relentlessly for over a year without adequate rest.
Both sides need Hakimi at his best, but the current system pushes elite players beyond sustainable limits.
With major tournaments ahead, including the home Africa Cup of Nations, Morocco is signaling that it cannot afford to lose its national team’s star defender and creative right-back.
The subtle message is meant to exert some kind of pressure on PSG to adjust their rotation policy and give Hakimi more strategic rest periods during the club season. But as the French club faces its own squad constraints, it remains to be seen whether, or to what extent, coach Luis Enrique will heed his Moroccan counterpart’s thinly veiled warning.
