Morocco’s captain, Achraf Hakimi, has etched his name in the annals of football history by becoming the African player with the most appearances in FIFA World Cup tournaments. The Paris Saint-Germain defender reached this milestone after making his 12th appearance for Morocco on the global stage.
Entering the 2026 World Cup with 10 matches under his belt, Hakimi steadily increased his tally. He played in Morocco’s 1-1 draw against Brazil, bringing his count to 11, and then featured against Scotland, which secured his 12th cap. This achievement places him at the pinnacle of the African all-time list, surpassing the previous record held jointly by Cameroon’s Francois Omam-Biyik and Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan, who each had 11 appearances.
Hakimi has participated in three World Cups and has played every match for his nation during these tournaments. His consistent presence and leadership have been instrumental for the Atlas Lions, and this record further cements his legacy as one of Africa’s finest footballers.