The Atlas Lions captain becomes the first African player to receive the honor three times.
The excellence of national football continues to assert itself at the pinnacle of the global hierarchy thanks to the recognition of its most prominent ambassadors. On Monday, 9 November 2026, FIFPRO officially announced the lineup for the men’s FIFPRO World 11 of the year, honoring Moroccan national team captain Achraf Hakimi once again. Previously selected by his peers in 2022 and 2025, the Paris Saint-Germain right-back definitively enters continental sports history by becoming the first Moroccan and African player to feature three times in this prestigious global team of the year. This distinction relies on direct votes from nearly 20,000 professional footballers across 73 countries, rewarding the national defender’s consistency and elite performances throughout the past season.
A legendary eleven and international recognition
The right-back’s inclusion in this elite squad places him alongside the greatest names in modern football. The global eleven features major figures such as Kylian Mbappé, Erling Haaland, Lionel Messi, Jude Bellingham, and Rodri, as well as young Spanish talent of Moroccan descent Lamine Yamal. To qualify for this exceptional group, athletes were required to have played at least 30 official matches during the evaluation period and received the top votes from their international peers. This individual achievement validates the athletic caliber, tactical intelligence, and leadership of a player who continues to inspire defenders of his generation on the largest European and world stages.
Impact on the country’s profile and athletic prestige
The regular presence of a key national team player at the peak of global individual accolades generates a substantial media and economic impact for national sport. This international visibility strengthens the reputation of the country’s player development model, enhances human capital, and confirms the Kingdom’s standing as a major provider of elite talent to world football. These repeated successes boost the country’s appeal to major commercial partners and global apparel brands, while fueling youth enthusiasm for high-performance sports. By embodying excellence and professionalism, the Atlas Lions captain reinforces the image of an ambitious, dynamic nation resolutely focused on the global elite.
