Why Morocco Captain Achraf Hakimi Is Being Booed at the 2026 World Cup

The 2026 World Cup was meant to be a celebration of football’s global reach, but for Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi, it has become an arena of condemnation. During his team’s group stage match against Scotland in Boston, the Paris Saint-Germain full-back was loudly booed by sections of the crowd. The jeers, echoing around the stadium each time he touched the ball, were a direct response to off-field developments: just hours before kick-off, a French appeals court confirmed that Hakimi will stand trial in a rape case, as reported by The Independent. The incident has reignited debate over the place of athletes facing serious criminal charges on sport’s biggest stages.

The Legal Storm Gathering Over Hakimi

The rape allegation against Hakimi dates back to early 2023, when a 24-year-old woman accused him of assaulting her at his home in a Paris suburb. Hakimi, then aged 24, was placed under formal investigation by French prosecutors – a step equivalent to being charged – but continued playing for PSG and the Moroccan national team while proclaiming his innocence

According to the Associated

Press, the case moved slowly through the legal system as his lawyers challenged the evidence. The appeals court’s ruling, announced on 19 June 2026, clears the way for a full trial, meaning Hakimi must now defend himself in a criminal courtroom even as he leads his country at the World Cup.

Why the Case Has Drawn Public Ire

Unlike many legal sagas involving footballers, Hakimi’s case has remained in the spotlight because of his stature: he is not just a star for PSG but the captain of a nation that captured hearts by reaching the semi-finals in 2022

The Bozeman Daily Chronicle

noted that fans in Boston held banners referencing the allegation, while The Sun Chronicle highlighted the awkward timing – a captain being booed on the global stage. Critics argue that playing while under such a cloud normalises serious misconduct; supporters counter that the presumption of innocence should be respected until a verdict is reached.

The Stadium Becomes a Court of Public Opinion

Booing opposing players is part of football culture, but the sustained hostility toward Hakimi was different. The Independent described how the boos intensified whenever he advanced down the right flank, and a noticeable hush fell when he gestured to the crowd. This was not about football rivalry – Scotland and Morocco have little history of enmity – but about fans using their presence at the World Cup to send a message. Social media footage analysed by the AP showed chants of "justice" and "no means no" during the match, echoing broader movements that seek to hold high-profile athletes accountable.

How Morocco Are Coping with the Fallout

Inside the camp, the reaction has been one of defiance. Teammates publicly rallied around their captain after the final whistle, and coach Walid Regragui told journalists the squad remains focused on football. Yet the psychological toll is undeniable. Hakimi’s game was visibly affected against Scotland, with misplaced passes and a reluctance to drive forward. For a team that relies heavily on his overlapping runs and set-piece delivery, any drop in performance threatens their knockout-stage ambitions.

Editor's Take: Tournament Impact

The booing of Achraf Hakimi creates a uniquely destabilising situation for Morocco. As captain and talisman, he is the emotional heartbeat of the team that stunned the world in Qatar. If the jeers continue in upcoming fixtures – potentially against Portugal or Ghana depending on the group draw – it will test the squad’s unity and mental strength. Pragmatically, Regragui must consider whether to shield Hakimi by rotating the captaincy or even dropping him if the pressure becomes too great, though replacements like Noussair Mazraoui do not offer the same attacking dimension. Beyond the pitch, the trial casts a shadow over Morocco’s entire campaign; should Hakimi be convicted during the tournament, FIFA faces an urgent eligibility question. For now, the noise from the stands is a reminder that the World Cup does not exist in a vacuum – and that for some fans, a player’s actions off the field matter just as much as those on it.