Mbappé and Achraf: two best friends who will face each other as captains on the 9th
France and Morocco meet on the 9th in Boston. Mbappé and Achraf, close friends off the pitch, become rivals as captains at the 2026 World Cup.
They chatted about going on holiday together at half-time of a World Cup semi-final. That tells you everything about Mbappé and Achraf Hakimi.
The friendship between the France captain and the Morocco captain is one of the most human stories of this World Cup — and on the 9th, in Boston, it will be put to the test on the pitch. One of them will lose. And he will lose to his best friend.
When Mbappé left PSG for Real Madrid, Achraf felt the absence but cheered his friend on. He knew everything that was going through the star's mind during that turbulent season in Paris — and managed to stay loyal to the club without sacrificing the friendship. That rare balance says a lot about both of them.
The bond has not cooled with time. Not long ago, Mbappé went into the stands in Rabat to watch Achraf play in the Africa Cup. "It is always a pleasure to welcome a friend to my country," the Moroccan said, according to Marca. "Kylian loves Morocco, he comes often, he enjoys the country, the culture and the food."
But this time there is no visit before the match. In Doha, the two were just a few kilometres apart and Mbappé still managed to show up on France's only day off. Boston does not allow that luxury.
What there will be, for the first time between the two of them, is the captains' photo before kick-off. A moment for the history books — and a reminder that football sometimes puts friends on opposite sides of the pitch.
For Achraf, it is a chance for revenge after the semi-final defeat in Qatar. For Mbappé, it is another step in a World Cup where Golmetria's model gives France a 13% chance of lifting the trophy — a figure that rises considerably if the side get past Morocco.
On the 9th, the friendship stays in the dressing room. On the pitch, only one of them moves on.