Sakina Karchaoui (born 26 January 1996) is a French professional footballer who plays as a left-back or midfielder for Première Ligue club Paris Saint-Germain, which she captains, and the France national team.
Born in Salon-de-Provence, in the Provence region of France, Karchaoui was raised in the nearby town of Miramas by her Moroccan parents. She began playing football in her neighborhood with boys. After two years at local club, US Miramas, she joined Montpellier.
Karchaoui made her professional debut for Montpellier on 18 November 2012 in a 6âÂÂ0 league win over Vendenheim. During the 2013âÂÂ14 Division 1 Féminine season, she made six appearances for the club, tallying a total of 475 minutes on the pitch. Montpellier finished in fourth place with a record. The following season, she made 12 appearances with 9 starts. The club finished the 2014âÂÂ15 season in fourth place with a record.
During the 2015âÂÂ16 season, Karchaoui started in 19 of the 20 matches in which she appeared. On 1 November 2015, she scored her first goal in a 4âÂÂ0 win against Rodez. Montpellier finished in third place during the regular season with a record.
On 24 June 2020, fourteen-time defending league champions Lyon announced the signing of Karchaoui for the 2020âÂÂ21 season.
On 10 July 2021, Karchaoui joined reigning league champions Paris Saint-Germain on a three-year deal. On 2 May 2024, she extended her contract with the club until June 2028. In September 2025, she was named as the club captain.
Karchaoui earned her first cap with the France national team in April 2016. She was later selected for the 2016 Rio Olympics. At the tournament, she started in the team's group-stage match against New Zealand resulting in a 3âÂÂ0 win, and the quarter-final match against Canada where the team was eliminated in a 1âÂÂ0 loss.
In March 2017, she helped France defeat the United States 3âÂÂ0 to win the 2017 SheBelieves Cup for the first time.
Karchaoui was called up to the France squad for the UEFA Women's Euro 2017.
Karchaoui was called up to the France squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup.
On 30 May 2022, Karchaoui was called up to the France squad for the UEFA Women's Euro 2022.
Karchaoui was called up to the France squad for the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
On 23 February 2024, she scored her first international goal in a 2âÂÂ1 win against Germany.
In July 2024, Karchaoui was named in France's squad for the 2024 Olympics.
Karchaoui admired Robin van Persie, Hatem Ben Arfa and Samir Nasri when she was young.
Montpellier
Lyon
Paris Saint-Germain
France U20
France
Individual