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Rabat – Achraf Hakimi made his 100th senior appearance for Morocco after starting the Atlas Lions’ World Cup knockout match against the Netherlands.
The 27-year-old captained Morocco and began the round-of-32 encounter at right-back, reaching another major milestone in a national-team career that began almost 10 years ago.
Hakimi made his senior Morocco debut in October 2016, entering as a substitute during a 4-0 friendly victory over Canada.
He quickly became a regular member of the team and has since developed into one of the most important players in Moroccan football history.
From young prospect to Morocco captain
Hakimi was still a teenager when he first represented Morocco, but his speed, technical ability and attacking contribution soon made him the country’s first-choice right-back.
He played at the 2018 World Cup in Russia before helping Morocco make history four years later in Qatar.
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During the 2022 tournament, Hakimi started all seven of Morocco’s matches as the Atlas Lions became the first African and Arab team to reach a World Cup semifinal.
His winning penalty against Spain in the round-of-16 shootout became one of the most memorable moments of Morocco’s historic campaign.
Hakimi later became the team’s captain and took on a greater leadership role as a new generation entered the national squad.
His 100th appearance came on one of the biggest stages possible, with Morocco facing the Netherlands for a place in the World Cup round of 16.
The Netherlands match was also Hakimi’s 14th World Cup appearance.
He played three times at Russia 2018 and seven times during Morocco’s run in Qatar, before starting all four of the Atlas Lions’ matches at the 2026 tournament.
Hakimi had already become Morocco’s record appearance holder at the World Cup during the group stage.
He also moved ahead of several African football legends to become the continent’s most experienced player in World Cup matches.
The milestone reflects his consistency and importance to Morocco across three consecutive editions of the tournament.
Naybet record within reach
Hakimi is now closing in on Noureddine Naybet’s long-standing Morocco appearance record.
The former Deportivo La Coruña and Tottenham defender represented the Atlas Lions 115 times and remains the country’s most-capped men’s player.
Hakimi is now only 15 appearances away from matching that total.
At 27, he has a strong chance of eventually breaking the record if he remains available for Morocco over the coming years.
Reaching 100 appearances already places him among a small group of players who have represented their countries at the highest level for a sustained period.
For Morocco, the milestone belongs to more than a talented right-back.
It recognizes a captain who has played a central role in the most successful period in the national team’s history.
