Achraf Hakimi dedicates Morocco's World Cup triumph over Netherlands to Africa
Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi has dedicated the Atlas Lions’ dramatic FIFA World Cup Round of 32 victory over the Netherlands to the entire African continent, saying his team is determined to represent and inspire African football on the global stage.
The North Africans secured their place in the Round of 16 after overcoming the Netherlands in a tense penalty shootout following a fiercely contested knockout clash at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking after the memorable victory, Hakimi expressed gratitude to the passionate Moroccan supporters while acknowledging the overwhelming backing the team received from fans across Africa and from Mexican supporters inside the stadium.
“We represent African football, and we play for them. We thank all the fans for their support always. We play for them. We saw a lot of Mexicans in the stadium supporting us too; we thank them,” Hakimi said.
The Paris Saint-Germain defender's remarks underline Morocco’s growing influence as one of Africa’s leading football nations, building on the country's remarkable achievements on the world stage in recent years.
Morocco once again showcased their resilience and composure under pressure, keeping their nerve in the penalty shootout to eliminate the Dutch and extend their impressive World Cup campaign.
Hakimi’s heartfelt message is expected to resonate across the continent, with the Atlas Lions now carrying Africa’s hopes into the next round as they continue their pursuit of another historic World Cup run.
Morocco will now face Canada in the Round of 16, with a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs. Buoyed by their momentum and continental support, the Atlas Lions will be aiming to continue flying Africa’s flag on football’s biggest stage.
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