Rabat – Morocco have decided to rest star defender Achraf Hakimi for their upcoming international friendly against Madagascar, in a preventive move aimed at managing his physical load ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
According to Almountakhab, head coach Mohamed Ouahbi has opted to exempt Hakimi from the match as part of a carefully structured recovery plan following an injury against Bayern Munich, as well as a long and demanding season with Paris Saint-Germain.
The decision comes after a highly intense season with PSG, especially after the injury he faced against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg. The injury prevented him from being present in the second leg of the semi-final second leg against the same team.
After Hakimi participated in an intense end-of-season with PSG, including their historic UEFA Champions League triumph against Arsenal yesterday and the following celebrations, the head coach, Ouahbi, has granted him a special delay in joining the Atlas Lions training camp for PSG’s post-match celebrations, and has exempted him from the Madagascar friendly too.
The root of this decision lies in the determination of the technical staff to avoid any risk of fatigue or minor injury complications.
Recovery journey
The same source said that Hakimi will undergo an accurate medical assessment and physical evaluation to determine his fitness levels before officially rejoining group training sessions with the rest of the national team squad.
Instead of joining the friendly match squad, Hakimi will stay with the Morocco national team’s training camp and be closely monitored by the medical staff. The focus will be on getting him fully fit and in shape ahead of the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Atlas Lions are approaching this phase of preparation with caution, prioritizing player fitness management over short-term results. With Hakimi considered a key figure in Morocco’s tactical system, the staff viewed his full availability for the tournament as essential.
