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Rabat – Spanish newspaper Marca has described Achraf Hakimi as one of the main faces of Morocco’s rise in world football, saying the Paris Saint-Germain defender now represents a national team with bigger ambition and stronger global respect.
The report comes as Morocco prepares for the 2026 World Cup with a different image from past tournaments.
The Atlas Lions are no longer viewed only as a team capable of causing problems for bigger sides. After their historic run in Qatar in 2022, they are now seen as a serious competitor on the world stage.
Morocco became the first African and Arab team to reach a World Cup semi-final in 2022, beating Spain and Portugal before losing to France.
That campaign changed how the team is judged internationally. It also raised expectations before the next edition of the tournament in North America.
Marca pointed to Hakimi as a key symbol of this new era. The 27-year-old full-back has been one of Morocco’s most consistent players over the past years and remains one of the biggest names in the squad.
His role is no longer limited to what he offers on the right side of the pitch. Hakimi is also one of the leaders inside the dressing room, with experience at the highest level in Europe and with the national team.
The PSG defender was one of Morocco’s standout players in Qatar. His winning penalty against Spain in the round of 16 became one of the most memorable moments in Moroccan football history.
Four years later, he is expected to arrive at the 2026 World Cup with more maturity, more responsibility, and a stronger position as one of the leaders of the team.
Morocco Enters 2026 With More Confidence
Morocco’s progress is not only linked to Hakimi. The national team has built a strong group with players competing in major European leagues, including names such as Yassine Bounou, Nayef Aguerd, Noussair Mazraoui, Sofyan Amrabat, Azzedine Ounahi, Brahim Diaz.
This mix of experience and talent has helped Morocco move from being an underdog to a team that opponents take seriously.
The country’s football project has also gained more attention, especially because of its player development, strong diaspora recruitment, and recent success at different levels.
Marca said Morocco now enters the 2026 World Cup with more maturity than before. The team already knows what it means to play under pressure, face major opponents, and go deep in a tournament.
For Morocco, the challenge now is different. In Qatar, the team surprised the world. In 2026, it will arrive with expectations.
That pressure can be difficult, but it also shows how far Moroccan football has come. The Atlas Lions are no longer chasing respect from the outside. They already have it.
