Hakimi, Mendes and Others: Players facing rape allegations at the World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has showcased the world’s best footballers, but for a small number of players, events away from the pitch have attracted almost as much attention as their performances on it.

Several players representing their countries at the tournament have either been charged, are under investigation, or have previously faced rape or sexual assault allegations.

While the legal circumstances differ in each case, all remain innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco)

Morocco captain Achraf Hakimi is set to stand trial in France over an allegation of rape.

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French prosecutors concluded there was sufficient evidence for the case to proceed, although no trial verdict has been reached.

The Paris Saint-Germain defender has consistently denied the allegation.

Ryan Mendes (Cape Verde)

Cape Verde skipper Ryan Mendes is under investigation in New Zealand following a rape allegation made by a Brazilian woman during the World Cup.

Authorities have confirmed an investigation is ongoing, but Mendes has not been charged and no findings have been made by a court.

Junya Ito (Japan)

Japan international Junya Ito was accused of sexual assault by two women in 2024.

Prosecutors later dropped the criminal case, citing insufficient evidence. Ito has denied the allegations throughout, and separate legal proceedings related to defamation have followed.

Kaishu Sano (Japan)

Fellow Japan midfielder Kaishu Sano was arrested in 2024 over an alleged sexual assault.

He was later released without charge after prosecutors decided not to pursue the case.

Contrary to claims circulating online, there is no evidence that Sano publicly admitted to the alleged offence.

The presence of players linked to such serious allegations has sparked debate throughout the tournament.

However, the legal status of each case differs, and none of the players has been convicted of rape.

FKA/JE

Meanwhile, watch as fans react to Ghana’s defeat to Croatia: