Achraf Hakimi, the Moroccan right-back, has set a new record for the most World Cup goals scored by an African defender, surpassing the previous mark held by Cameroon's Oman Biyik. The milestone was achieved during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which is being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Hakimi's goal came in Morocco's group stage match, bringing his total World Cup goals to three, one more than Biyik's two goals from the 1990 and 1994 tournaments. Biyik, a former defender for Cameroon, had held the record since scoring in the 1990 World Cup, where Cameroon reached the quarter-finals.
The 27-year-old Hakimi, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, has been a key player for Morocco, helping them reach the semi-finals in the 2022 World Cup. His record-breaking goal underscores the growing impact of African defenders in international football.
As of June 21, 2026, the 2026 World Cup is ongoing, with Morocco competing in Group F. Hakimi's achievement has been celebrated by fans and analysts, highlighting his consistency and attacking prowess from the back.
