# Morocco football: Hakimi case, World Cup exit, reforms > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/achraf-hakimi-rape-case > Updated: 2026-07-17T22:03:31.000Z. Sources: 184. Developments: 21. Achraf Hakimi’s cassation appeal remains pending after the Versailles Court of Appeal referred him to trial on 19 June 2026, with the hearing scheduled for fall 2026. Morocco’s quarter‑final loss to France on 9 July 2026 sparked widespread disappointment; midfielder Azeddine Ounahi expressed pride in the black‑and‑red shirt and pledged future effort, while King Mohammed VI sent gifts to children in Taza after the Canada match. Former international Mustapha Haji, who earlier warned that the team’s thin bench limited its competitiveness, reiterated the squad‑depth issue on 11 July 2026 while commenting on Egypt’s match, urging a broader pool of players for future tournaments. On 17 July 2026 the Royal Moroccan Football Federation approved a 965 million‑dirham budget and a suite of reforms aimed at professional‑league stability, digital transformation, governance, and infrastructure. New measures include postponing club fixtures when more than three players are called up to the senior national team, relocating federation headquarters, and prioritising youth and age‑group competitions—steps that build on the long‑term development plan supported by the Mohammed VI Football Academy and the Rabat sports city. The federation’s ongoing investments and policy changes seek to strengthen squad depth and sustain Morocco’s rise on the world stage despite the recent World Cup exit. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-17: Moroccan Football Federation launches new reform phase as Tunisia pledges support for elite athletes Morocco's football federation outlined a youth‑focused reform, while Tunisia's sports ministry pledged financial and logistical support for elite athletes training abroad. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moroccan-football-federation-launches-new-reform-phase-as-tunisia-pledges-support-for-elite-athletes ### 2026-07-11: World Cup 2026: Egypt's Shobair saves Messi penalty as Morocco cites squad‑depth weakness Shobair saved Messi’s penalty in Egypt’s 2026 World Cup loss to Argentina; Haji warned Morocco’s limited bench depth hurt its tournament performance. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/world-cup-2026-egypts-shobair-saves-messi-penalty-as-morocco-cites-squaddepth-weakness ### 2026-07-11: Azeddine Ounahi’s heartfelt message after Morocco’s World Cup exit Azeddine Ounahi thanked fans and vowed a stronger comeback after Morocco’s quarter‑final loss at the 2026 World Cup, saying pride in the shirt outweighs disappointment. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/azeddine-ounahis-heartfelt-message-after-moroccos-world-cup-exit ### 2026-07-07: Morocco's football federation credits strategic development plan for global rise Morocco’s football federation attributes recent global successes to a long‑term development plan, a €55 million academy complex, and sustained royal investment. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moroccan-football-chief-fouzi-lacjade-says-national-project-drives-recent-success ### 2026-07-04: Moroccan captain Hakimi thanks King Mohammed VI after World Cup quarter‑final qualification Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi thanked King Mohammed VI for ongoing support and vowed continued dedication after the team reached the World Cup 2026 quarter‑finals. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moroccan-captain-hakimi-thanks-king-mohammed-vi-after-world-cup-quarterfinal-qualification ### 2026-07-04: Morocco advances to World Cup round of 16 as captain Achraf Hakimi faces rape trial Morocco reaches the World Cup round of 16 after a penalty win, while captain Achraf Hakimi, charged with rape in France, remains eligible to play against Canada. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/morocco-advances-to-world-cup-round-of-16-as-captain-achraf-hakimi-faces-rape-trial ### 2026-07-03: World Cup Players Face Sexual Assault Allegations in Multiple Countries Four World Cup players from Morocco, Ghana and Japan face ongoing sexual‑assault investigations, prompting visa issues and scrutiny of FIFA’s policies. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/world-cup-players-face-sexual-assault-allegations-in-multiple-countries ### 2026-07-01: Morocco's football federation credits King Mohammed VI's policy for youth leadership push Moroccan football chief Fawzi Luqaj credits King Mohammed VI’s policy and the Mohammed VI Academy for youth leadership, aiming for a strong showing at the 2026 World Cup. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moroccos-football-federation-credits-king-mohammed-vis-policy-for-youth-leadership-push ### 2026-06-28: Mehdi Benatia praises Morocco’s football academy model and rising stars Mehdi Benatia credits Morocco’s Mohammed VI Academy for producing stars like Hakimi and young prospect Bouaddi, urging more penalty‑area composure after the team’s 2022 World Cup semi‑final run. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/mehdi-benatia-praises-moroccos-football-academy-model-and-rising-stars ### 2026-06-27: Egypt and Morocco national teams reflect on World Cup 2026 group stage Egypt coach Hossam Hassan leads a historic World Cup win while Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi stresses humility and ambition as both teams compete in the 2026 group stage. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/moroccan-captain-achraf-hakimi-lauds-mohamed-salah-and-stresses-humility-for-world-cup-ambitions ### 2026-06-26: Achraf Hakimi files appeal to France's top court over rape charge Achraf Hakimi appeals to France's Court of Cassation, contesting a referral to criminal court over a 2023 rape allegation, amid the 2026 World Cup. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/achraf-hakimi-appeals-french-rape-verdict-to-court-of-cassation ### 2026-06-24: Achraf Hakimi Faces French Rape Trial as Morocco Back Him at World Cup Achraf Hakimi is set for a French rape trial while Morocco’s World Cup squad publicly backs him, after a 1‑0 win over Scotland and amid concerns over his eligibility for the tournament. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/achraf-hakimi-backed-by-morocco-squad-as-french-rape-trial-looms ### 2026-06-22: Achraf Hakimi faces sexual assault trial in France amid World Cup 2026 French courts will try Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi for alleged 2023 sexual assault in Paris, a case he denies, set to continue after the 2026 World Cup and drawing public debate. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/achraf-hakimi-faces-sexual-assault-trial-in-france-amid-world-cup-2026 ### 2026-06-20: Morocco coach backs Hakimi after boos and rape trial reports at World Cup Morocco beat Scotland 1‑0 at the 2026 World Cup, but Achraf Hakimi was booed amid reports of a possible rape trial; coach Mohamed Ouaibi defended him and said the team will focus on football. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/morocco-coach-backs-hakimi-after-boos-and-rape-trial-reports-at-world-cup ### 2026-06-20: Achraf Hakimi faces rape trial in Paris court Paris court will try PSG defender Achraf Hakimi for an alleged 2023 rape; he claims consensual contact, while teammate Kylian Mbappé’s testimony shifted during the investigation. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/achraf-hakimi-faces-rape-trial-in-paris-court ### 2026-06-19: Achraf Hakimi to stand trial in France over rape allegations Achraf Hakimi, Morocco captain and PSG defender, will stand trial in France for a 2023 rape allegation after an appeal was rejected; he denies the charges and the case may impact his World Cup travel. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/achraf-hakimi-to-stand-trial-in-france-over-rape-allegations ### 2026-06-19: Achraf Hakimi faces rape trial as Morocco shields star amid World Cup Morocco’s star defender Achraf Hakimi will stand trial in France on rape charges, with his federation shielding him as the team advances in the World Cup. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/achraf-hakimi-faces-rape-trial-as-morocco-shields-star-amid-world-cup ### 2026-06-19: French Court Sends PSG Defender Achraf Hakimi to Trial France’s Versailles appeals court dismissed Achraf Hakimi’s challenge, confirming his referral to the Hauts‑de‑Seine criminal court over 2023 sexual assault allegations; the Moroccan PSG star denies the claims. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/french-court-sends-psg-defender-achraf-hakimi-to-trial ### 2026-06-18: Achraf Hakimi ordered to stand trial for rape in France France’s Versailles appeal court confirmed PSG’s Achraf Hakimi will be tried for an alleged 2023 rape, rejecting his appeal; no trial date set, and the player says he will finally be able to speak. 124 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/achraf-hakimi-faces-formal-rape-indictment-as-french-court-orders-trial ### 2026-06-17: Achraf Hakimi faces French trial as Morocco chases World Cup glory Achraf Hakimi’s rape trial is confirmed as Morocco advances in the 2026 World Cup; forward Ismael Saibari scores and secures a Bayern transfer, lifting Morocco to FIFA rank 6. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/morocco-reaches-fifa-top6-as-hakimi-stars-ahead-of-world-cup-2026-match ### 2026-05-22: Achraf Hakimi faces French court over rape allegations PSG player Achraf Hakimi appeared before the Versailles Court of Appeal to contest a rape charge and avoid referral to criminal court. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/achraf-hakimi-faces-french-court-over-rape-allegations --- Cite as: Morocco football: Hakimi case, World Cup exit, reforms. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/achraf-hakimi-rape-case