France are fully aware that Morocco are much more than a strictly defensive team as they prepare for their unexpected World Cup semi-final clash on Wednesday.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar has entered the knockout phase, and one of the top honours players will be competing for is the Golden Boot, awarded to the player with the most goals in the tournament.

Morocco's national airline said it was cancelling all flights it had scheduled for Wednesday to carry fans to Doha for the World Cup semi-final, citing what it said was a decision by Qatari authorities.

Police in France geared up for the country's World Cup soccer semi-final against Morocco on Wednesday, after scuffles which followed last week's Moroccan quarter-final win over Portugal.

Football’s claim to being the global sport has strong merits.

After putting Belgium, Portugal and Spain to the sword in Qatar, Morocco are looking to bring another soccer superpower to their knees when they face France in the World Cup semi-finals on Thursday.

The flags, team jerseys and billboards with players are on full display in Rabat ahead of Morocco's World Cup semi-final against France on Wednesday, but the team will have support much farther afield as the first Arab or African side to get that far.

An inspired Lionel Messi scored from the penalty spot and Julian Alvarez struck twice as Argentina beat Croatia 3-0 on Tuesday to reach their second World Cup final in eight years.

Lionel Messi scored from the spot before Julian Alvarez grabbed another with a fantastic solo run to give Argentina a 2-0 lead over Croatia at halftime in the first World Cup semi-final on Tuesday

Ever since coming to Qatar to report on the latter stages of the World Cup, it has been quite evident to this reporter that Argentina are the people's favourites.

 Argentina made two changes in the starting eleven that won on penalties against the Netherlands for Tuesday's World Cup semi-final against Croatia, who named an unchanged line-up.

There may have been questions among the fans witnessing the Fifa World Cup over why Morocco are abbreviated as 'MAR' during TV coverage?

France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris sent a text to England striker Harry Kane after his Tottenham Hotspur team mate blazed a late penalty over the crossbar in his side's 2-1 World Cup quarter-final loss on Saturday.

Lionel Messi and Luka Modric face off in a mouthwatering World Cup semi-final between Argentina and Croatia on Tuesday, desperate to seize their final chance to win football's ultimate prize.

A court in Spain on Tuesday acquitted Brazilian superstar Neymar of corruption charges related to his transfer to Barcelona from Santos in 2013.

Goalkeepers in football are often the most overlooked players on the pitch, but in FIFA World Cup 2022, we have seen some remarkable goalkeeping performances, including that of Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez and Croatia’s Dominik Livakovic. With the two teams set to meet, let us see how this battle of the goalkeepers will shape up.

Argentina’s story in this World Cup has been that of a transformation. From getting handed an unexpected defeat in the opening match against Saudi Arabia to being unbeaten and waltzing through opponents one after another, it feels like we are in for a grand finish! With Argentina running towards their elusive World Cup dream, let us look at the 5 ways Argentina has re-invented them in this world cup.

Win and you have a seat at the finals. Lose and you go home. In this high-risk and high-reward situation, we have only four teams left at the FIFA World Cup 2022 and Croatia amongst them have earned our respect a while ago. They have dismantled some big teams on their way to the road to the final. Here are 5 reasons why Croatia is a force to be reckoned with.

Argentina, led by superstar Lionel Messi, came into the World Cup as one of the favourites but they face a big roadblock in the semi-final on Tuesday with 2018 runners-up Croatia, who proved too much for the other title contenders, Brazil.

Neymar departed in tears. The Brazil No 10 cried inconsolably, only to be lifted off the pitch as the pre-tournament favourites were knocked out on penalties by Croatia in the quarterfinals at the Education City Stadium on Friday night.