Paris Saint-Germain defender Achraf Hakimi, who captains Morocco's national team at the 2026 World Cup, will stand trial on rape charges after a French appeals court rejected his appeal, his attorney confirmed on Friday.
Hakimi, 27, is accused of raping a woman at his home in a Paris suburb in 2023. He has consistently denied the allegations, calling them "a story that isn't mine."
"I've been waiting for this trial since day one," Hakimi wrote on social media. "Finally, I'll be able to speak out."
The Nanterre prosecutor's office opened an investigation in March 2023 after the woman filed a complaint. Hakimi was placed under preliminary charges of rape but remained free. He appealed the decision to send the case to a criminal court, but the Versailles appeals court upheld the referral.
Hakimi, widely regarded as one of the world's best right-backs, is currently in the United States with the Moroccan squad for the World Cup. He played in their opening group match against Brazil on Sunday and is expected to feature in Friday's game against Scotland.
Neither the appeals court nor Hakimi's lawyer responded to requests for comment. A trial date has not yet been set.