World Cup Time Machine
World Cup Time Machine

Legends rise. Rivalries roar.

2026-06-11๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Morocco

Club

Paris Saint-Germain

Age

27

Signature stat

CAF Men's Player of the Year 2025

Photo: Laloumance via Wikimedia Commons

Today's Player Watch

Achraf Hakimi

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Morocco ยท Right-back / Captain ยท Paris Saint-Germain

2026 lens

Morocco's next miracle needs a right side that can turn defence into a roar.

Morocco open Group C against Brazil at New York New Jersey Stadium on 13 June, and Hakimi arrives as more than a full-back. PSG list him as their No. 2 defender and Morocco's right-sided force, while CAF named him Men's Player of the Year for 2025 after a club season that included PSG's Champions League win and Morocco's qualification for 2026. Against Brazil, his first surge may tell fans whether Morocco are still a wall or now something faster.

Scout card

2026 POV

Right-side burst

Morocco's best outlet when the match turns from survival into attack.

94

Recovery speed

His pace lets Morocco take risks without every turnover becoming panic.

92

Space behind

The watch point is how cleanly Morocco cover the lane when he attacks high.

76

2026 question

Can Hakimi give Morocco the right-side release they need when Brazil try to pin them back?

World Cup memory

His panenka penalty against Spain in the 2022 round of 16 helped send Morocco into their first World Cup quarter-final, the step that made the semi-final dream feel possible.

Origin story

Born in Madrid to Moroccan parents, Hakimi came through Real Madrid's academy, grew in Dortmund, won Serie A with Inter, and became a central figure at PSG while choosing Morocco as his national-team story.

Off the Pitch

He carries the diaspora feeling naturally: Spanish birthplace, Moroccan roots, French club life, and a national-team shirt that made families across Morocco and abroad feel visible in 2022.

Trivia

CAF said Hakimi became the first defender to win its Men's Player of the Year award since Bwanga Tshimen in 1973.

Player Watch archive

Come back tomorrow for a new player to watch on the road to 2026.

World Cup Time Machine - Explore 92 Years of FIFA World Cup History

From the first kick in Montevideo 1930 to Messi lifting the trophy in Qatar 2022, the FIFA World Cup has produced the most dramatic moments in sport. Explore every rivalry, every upset, every champion - and get ready for the biggest World Cup ever in 2026 across the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

World Cup Champions

Recent Tournaments

2022 - Qatar

Winner: Argentina ยท Runner-up: France ยท 172 goals in 64 matches

First WC in the Middle East, played in winter. The final is widely considered the greatest ever

2018 - Russia

Winner: France ยท Runner-up: Croatia ยท 169 goals in 64 matches

First WC to use VAR. Defending champions Germany finished last in their group

2014 - Brazil

Winner: Germany ยท Runner-up: Argentina ยท 171 goals in 64 matches

Germany's 7-1 demolition of host Brazil is the most lopsided WC semi-final ever

2010 - South Africa

Winner: Spain ยท Runner-up: Netherlands ยท 145 goals in 64 matches

First WC in Africa. Paul the Octopus correctly predicted all 7 Germany matches

2006 - Germany

Winner: Italy ยท Runner-up: France ยท 147 goals in 64 matches

Zidane headbutted Materazzi in his final match. Klose began his journey to become the WC's all-time top scorer

2002 - South Korea / Japan

Winner: Brazil ยท Runner-up: Germany ยท 161 goals in 64 matches

First WC in Asia. France, Argentina, Italy and Portugal all eliminated in group stage

FIFA World Cup 2026

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest ever, expanding to 48 teams across 16 host cities in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The tournament runs from June 11 to July 19, 2026. It will feature 104 matches - 40 more than any previous World Cup.

Host venues include MetLife Stadium (New York/New Jersey), AT&T Stadium (Dallas), SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles), Hard Rock Stadium (Miami), Estadio Azteca (Mexico City), and BMO Field (Toronto) among others.

World Cup Rivalries

The World Cup has forged legendary rivalries: Brazil vs Argentina, England vs Germany, Netherlands vs Germany, Argentina vs England, and France vs Italy. Each meeting carries decades of history, heartbreak, and glory. Explore head-to-head records, memorable matches, and the stories behind the greatest clashes in football.

Greatest World Cup Moments

About World Cup Time Machine

World Cup Time Machine is a free interactive experience covering all 22 FIFA World Cup tournaments from 1930 to 2022. Explore team journeys, head-to-head rivalries, dark horses, rituals and omens, controversies, trivia challenges, and the complete 2026 World Cup schedule. Built for fans who feel the roar before the score.