Hakimi expected to start for PSG May 30

Achraf Hakimi is expected to return this week and start for Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final against Arsenal on May 30, according to a beIN SPORTS report published on May 20. UEFA says the 2025-26 Champions League final will be played at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, with PSG facing Arsenal. The timing matters because Hakimi had been dealing with a thigh issue late in PSG’s European run, including a reported absence from the semifinal second leg against Bayern Munich. PSG have not, in the material reviewed, issued a fresh formal matchday availability statement for the final, but beIN reported the Morocco international is set to be back in Luis Enrique’s plans. ### What exactly did beIN report about Hakimi? beIN SPORTS said on May 20 that Hakimi “would rejoin this week” and is “set to be a starter” in the final against Arsenal in Budapest. The report described his return as a relief for PSG in the closing stretch of the season and as a boost for coach Luis Enrique. The beIN report followed earlier coverage from the same outlet on April 29 saying Hakimi would miss PSG’s Champions League semifinal second leg at Bayern Munich because of a thigh injury. That sequence places the latest update as a recovery story rather than a new injury development. ### Where does the final stand now? UEFA says the 2026 Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal will take place at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest on Saturday, May 30. Arsenal’s ticket information page also lists the match for May 30 at 17:00 UK time. Those official listings confirm the opponent, venue and date around the team-news update. They do not, on their own, settle PSG’s starting lineup, which is why the beIN report has drawn attention. ### Why is Hakimi’s status under such close watch? Hakimi is one of PSG’s regular first-choice defenders and a key outlet on the right side. beIN’s earlier injury report said the concern began when he pulled up while stretching for the ball and grabbed the back of his thigh. A May 9 report from CaughtOffside, citing PSG expectations, also said the club believed Hakimi could be back for the final, alongside Lucas Chevalier and Warren Zaïre-Emery. A separate Goal item surfaced on May 21 saying Hakimi had confirmed his fitness return ahead of the final, though the strongest directly sourced reporting in this case remains beIN’s May 20 update. ### Has there been any official confirmation from UEFA or the clubs? UEFA has confirmed the fixture details, not the PSG team sheet. Arsenal has published ticketing and match information for the final, but that is separate from PSG’s injury status. Paris Saint-Germain’s publicly surfaced status, based on the reports reviewed, is still being relayed through media updates rather than a final official lineup release. That means “expected to start” should be read as pre-match reporting, not as a confirmed selection. ### What should readers watch between now and May 30? May 30 is the next fixed date: PSG and Arsenal are due to meet in the Champions League final in Budapest, according to UEFA. PSG’s final training sessions and any pre-match media availability from Luis Enrique or the club would be the next places to watch for definitive confirmation on Hakimi’s role. Arsenal’s match page and UEFA’s final information page already carry the scheduling details, while PSG’s pre-final squad announcements will determine whether Hakimi moves from expected starter to confirmed starter on the day.