India, June 19 -- The FIFA World Cup is portrayed as football's biggest celebration, a stage where careers are defined, and national heroes are born. But at the ongoing 2026 tournament, the spotlight has extended far beyond the pitch. Aside from visa issues and the removal of Somali referee Omar Artan, players have also been involved in controversies.

Three players are simultaneously dealing with serious legal and disciplinary scrutiny.

The most high-profile case is that of Morocco and PSG star Achraf Hakimi. On Friday, a French appeals court confirmed that he would be standing trial in a rape case. The court rejected his challenge against an earlier decision ordering him to stand trial over a rape allegation dating back to 2023. He has...