Hakimi: "Qatar's achievement" is not a stroke of luck.

Achraf Hakimi, the captain of the Moroccan national football team, sent a strong message following the "Atlas Lions" qualification to the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, after winning against the Netherlands in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw, emphasizing that what the Moroccan team is achieving on the global stage is the result of continuous work, not luck.

In statements after the match, Hakimi stressed that the historic achievement made by Morocco in the Qatar 2022 World Cup was not an exception; rather, it is the beginning of a journey that the team continues to affirm in the current edition of the tournament.

The Atlas Lion said: "It was a very difficult match. We knew the strength of the Dutch team, so we prepared well for it both physically and mentally. We maintained our focus until the end and showed the fighting spirit that characterizes this team."

The player added: "I said after the Haiti match that we should not put ourselves in such situations; but we showed our character. We remained calm, and we believed that our opportunity would come, and Aissa Diop succeeded in scoring the equalizer."

The captain of the "Atlas Lions" sent a message to the skeptics, saying: "Many believed that what we achieved in Qatar was just a stroke of luck; but hard work is what creates these results. We will continue to work and maintain our humility."

The Moroccan national football team continues to establish its place among the giants of world football, having once again confirmed its ability to compete with the strongest teams, setting up a date with Canada in the next round of the 2026 World Cup.