Disappointment at Morocco's World Cup exit cannot mask pride By AFP July 10, 2026 12:50 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Morocco's defender Achraf Hakimi (R) reacts after losing the 2026 World Cup football t …
… But most of their players were born in western Europe and came through academy systems there, captain Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz from Spain, Noussair Mazraoui in the Netherlands, Ayyoub Bouaddi in France, for example. …
… Madrid star provoked the penalty as he was scythed down in the area by Noussair Mazraoui after a quick breakaway in the 25th minute.Argentinian referee Facundo Tello immediately pointed to the spot, although a review was needed to rule out a foul on Moroccan captain Achraf Hakimi …
… ational team this year were born in France and play for French clubs. window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-m', container: 'taboola-mid-article-thumbnails', placement: 'Mid Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); Team captain Achraf Hakimi …
… But most of their players were born in western Europe and came through academy systems there –- captain Achraf Hakimi and Brahim Diaz from Spain, Noussair Mazraoui in the Netherlands, Ayyoub Bouaddi in France, for example. …
… Their captain, Achraf Hakimi, is arguably one of the finest full-back on the planet at the moment, a man who patrols one touchline and then settles the match on the other. …
… There was a flashpoint shortly before half-time when Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi and defender Richie Laryea had a brief shoving match, with both shown yellow cards.Referee Michael Oliver booked six players -- four from Morocco -- in a half high on niggly fouls and low on goal-m …
… Morocco had created the better chances of a fractious encounter, which saw players from both sides flying into tackles to test the patience of Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio.The Atlas Lions almost took the lead on 20 minutes when Neil al-Aynaoui glanced an Achraf Hakimi corner …
Morocco footballer Hakimi appeals rape trial order By AFP June 27, 2026 09:01 (EAT) Add as a Preferred Source on Google Follow us Follow on Whatsapp Follow on Google Follow on Twitter Audio By Vocalize Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi, whose referral for trial on rape charges wa …
Morocco, the last African team in the tournament, lost 2-0 to France in the quarter-final in Foxborough, Massachusetts on July 9, 2026. Despite disappointment, the result represented continued progress for the team, which reached the semi-finals in Qatar four years earlier.
Morocco, the last African team in the tournament, lost 2-0 to France in the quarter-final in Foxborough, Massachusetts on July 9, 2026. Despite disappointment, the result represented continued progress for the team, which reached the semi-finals in Qatar four years earlier.
Six of eight quarter-finalists are European nations—France, Spain, Belgium, England, Norway, and Switzerland—alongside Argentina and Morocco. Despite the 48-team format increasing non-European representation, Europe's dominance at the business end reflects the continent's concentration of wealth and top talent in major leagues.
Kylian Mbappe scored a brilliant curling finish after an earlier missed penalty to lead France to a 2-0 victory over Morocco in their World Cup quarter-final, with Ousmane Dembele adding a second goal. France will face Spain or Belgium in the semi-finals next Tuesday in Dallas.
France has urged its football fans to be responsible as the team prepares to face African champions Morocco in a 2026 World Cup quarter-final on Thursday, after previous high-profile matches led to unrest.
Despite the World Cup expanding to 48 teams to give underrepresented continents more opportunity, the quarter-final line-up remains dominated by Europe, with France, Spain, Belgium, England, Norway, and Switzerland joined only by Argentina and Morocco.
France and Morocco will meet in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on July 9, 2026, revisiting their 2022 semi-final encounter in Qatar where France won 2-0. Morocco advanced by defeating Canada 3-0 while France edged Paraguay 1-0 in the round of 16.
Morocco defeated Canada 3-0 in the World Cup round of 16 in Houston on Saturday, with goals from Azzedine Ounahi (twice) and Soufiane Rahimi, to advance to the quarter-finals where they will face France or Paraguay.
Morocco defeated the Netherlands 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw following extra-time in a World Cup match in Monterrey. Morocco will face Canada in the last 16 in Houston on Saturday.
Moroccan footballer Achraf Hakimi has appealed to France's Court of Cassation after an appeals court upheld an order for him to stand trial on rape charges over an alleged 2023 incident, which he has repeatedly denied.
Morocco defeated Haiti 4-2 in a Group C match to advance to the World Cup last 32, though they finished second to Brazil on goal difference. Haiti scored their first World Cup goals in 52 years during the match.
Morocco overcame two goals conceded to Haiti to win 4-2 in Atlanta, advancing to the World Cup last 32 but finishing second to Brazil in Group C. Haiti scored their first World Cup goals in 52 years.
Morocco goalkeeper Munir El Kajoui said captain Achraf Hakimi has the support of his teammates despite facing trial in France on rape charges related to allegations he raped a 24-year-old woman in 2023, which he denies.
Moroccan goalkeeper Munir El Kajoui said captain Achraf Hakimi has the support of his teammates despite facing a trial in France on rape charges. A French appeals court confirmed the Paris Saint-Germain star will face trial over allegations he raped a 24-year-old woman in 2023, which he denies.
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is confirmed to face trial in France on rape charges, which he denies. His coach Mohamed Ouahbi said Hakimi is focused and unfazed after playing in Morocco's 1-0 World Cup win over Scotland on Friday.
Ismael Saibari scored after 71 seconds as Morocco defeated Scotland 1-0 in a World Cup match, with the goal described as the fastest of the tournament so far. Morocco now has four points from two games and are positioned to advance to the knockout rounds.
A French appeals court confirmed that Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi will face trial for the alleged rape of a woman in 2023, which he denies. Hakimi, Morocco's national team captain, said he had been "waiting for this trial since day one" and looks forward to being heard.
The USA and Australia will face off in a Group D match on Friday, with both teams eyeing progression to the World Cup knockout rounds after strong opening wins—the Americans defeated Paraguay 4-1 and Australia upset Turkey 2-0. Brazil will also play Haiti as they seek to revive their campaign.
The United States and Australia compete in a Group D match on Friday with the winner advancing to the World Cup knockout rounds. Brazil aim to kickstart their campaign against Haiti, while Mexico have already secured their place in the last 32.
Brazil drew 1-1 with Morocco in their opening 2026 World Cup Group C match in New Jersey, with Vinicius Junior equalizing after falling behind to Ismael Saibari's goal. Coach Carlo Ancelotti urged patience, saying "you don't win a World Cup based on your first match," acknowledging the team played with anxiety and nerves but cautioning against losing heart early in the tournament.
Vinicius Junior scored an equaliser to give Brazil a 1-1 draw with Morocco in their Group C World Cup opener in New Jersey on Saturday. Brazil, chasing a record sixth World Cup title, showed uncertain form under first-time foreign coach Carlo Ancelotti, while Morocco, the 2022 semi-finalists, took an early lead through Ismael Saibari's 21st-minute goal.
Morocco coach Mohamed Ouahbi said his players should not fear playing Brazil in their 2026 World Cup opener in New Jersey on Saturday, but treat them with respect. Ouahbi emphasized confidence in his team following Morocco's semi-final run at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Morocco made two injury-enforced changes to their World Cup squad, with winger Abde Ezzalzouli ruled out due to a knee injury sustained in a friendly against Norway and replaced by Amine Sbai, while defender Nayef Aguerd, who has not played since March after groin surgery, makes way for Marwane Saadane. The changes come ahead of Morocco's tournament opener against Brazil.
Morocco's recruitment of dual-national footballers, once a rare occurrence, has become central to the national team's sporting strategy and now accounts for the majority of players across age groups. The shift aims to help the Atlas Lions improve on reaching the semi-finals in 2022 and compete with leading football nations.
Paris Saint-Germain won back-to-back Champions League titles by defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Budapest, with Eberechi Eze and Gabriel missing from the spot. PSG became only the second team besides Real Madrid to win the competition in consecutive years.
PSG coach Luis Enrique said his team are not favourites to defend their Champions League crown in Saturday's final against Arsenal, noting that while PSG scored 44 goals this competition and Arsenal conceded six, finals tend to be close affairs and last year's 5-0 win over Inter Milan was exceptional.
Paris Saint-Germain won back-to-back Champions League titles, defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time in Budapest. PSG became only the second team besides Real Madrid to win the competition in consecutive years in the Champions League era.
Arsenal aim to win the Champions League by defeating defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, who are chasing back-to-back titles in Budapest on Saturday under coach Luis Enrique.
Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, a 27-year-old Morocco international facing trial on rape charges, will appear before the Versailles appeals court on Friday to bid for the case to be dismissed. Hakimi denies wrongdoing; the charges stem from a February 2023 complaint by a then-24-year-old woman in the Val-de-Marne area near Paris.
PSG forward Ousmane Dembele is undergoing treatment for muscle discomfort in his right calf after being substituted at half-time during Sunday's 2-1 Ligue 1 defeat to Paris FC. The Ballon d'Or winner is set to receive treatment over the next few days before PSG's Champions League final against Arsenal later in May.
Paris Saint-Germain clinched their fifth straight French Ligue 1 title with a 2-0 away win against Lens, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scoring and substitute Ibrahim Mbaye adding a late second goal to give PSG an unassailable nine-point lead at the top.