France vs Morocco live updates as rivals face off for spot in World Cup final

There's just one spot remaining in the 2022 World Cup final after Argentina's sensational 3-0 win against Croatia on Tuesday.

Lionel Messi and his international colleagues will face either France or Morocco at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday. France are widely expected to win Wednesday's game at the Al Bayt Stadium after lifting the last World Cup in Russia four years ago.

Yet Morocco will be desperate for their historic campaign to continue. Walid Regragui's side are the first African team in history to reach the semi-finals after famous wins against Belgium, Canada, Spain and Portugal - and more success could be on the horizon. Kick-off is at 7pm UK time.

Follow our live blog to find out which country will reach the World Cup final...

18:34Felix Keith

Fofana's amazing back story

Youssouf Fofana starts for France tonight - and his journey to get there is quite something.

Just years ago he was forced to deliver pizzas to make ends meet while playing for an amateur side in Paris.

Read his full story here.

18:29Felix Keith

Mbappe vs Messi

Lionel Messi's penalty in Argentina's 3-0 win over Croatia last night took him level with Kylian Mbappe on five goals at the 2022 World Cup.

Mbappe has the chance to renew his lead tonight - and set up a showdown with Messi at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday.

18:23Felix Keith

The Morocco fan factor

Morocco are the clear underdogs in this match - but they will hope they have something France don't: the loudest supporters.

The Atlas Lions have been brilliantly supported in Qatar. Their fans are sure to make a racket inside the Al Bayt Stadium tonight.

18:21Felix Keith

France's changes

France have brought in Ibrahima Konate and Youssouf Fofana, with Dayot Upamecano and Adrien Rabiot not available due to illness.

According to beIN Sports, members of the France camp believe that the pair both contracted their illness from England players during their match.

Could their absences cost the defending champions?

18:14Felix Keith

Morocco star plays down transfer talk

Sofyan Amrabat has played down talk of him leaving Fiorentina for a Premier League club, such as Liverpool, in the January window.

The 26-year-old midfielder has been linked the Reds after a string of impressive displays at the World Cup in Qatar. He helped Morocco become the first African team in history to reach the semi-finals after wins against Canada, Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

"It is a great honour to be associated with these kinds of clubs," Amrabat told Marca. "Right now I'm playing for Fiorentina. I have a lot of respect for my club, it's a great team."

Read the full article here.

18:08Felix Keith

Reminder of the teams

Here's a more visual version of tonight's teams...

17:54Felix Keith

Mbappe to take centre stage

17:40KEY EVENT

Morocco team news

Romain Saiss is fit enough to start for Morocco, after going off injured in the 1-0 win over Portugal. Fullback Noussair Mazraoui is also fit in another boost for the North African side.

It looks like it could mean a chance of formation, with five in defence.

Morocco XI: Bounou; Hakimi, El Yamiq, Saïss, Aguerd, Mazraoui; Amrabat, Ounahi; Ziyech, En-Nesyri, Boufal.

17:37Felix Keith

Unlikely connections

France striker Olivier Giroud and Morocco coach Walid Regragui have crossed paths once before...

17:26Felix Keith

Not long to go

This is the biggest match in the history of Moroccan football. Playing the defending champions - and a country with historic connections - makes it all the bigger.

16:58KEY EVENT

France team news

The France team is in; and it's a very strong line-up...

Lloris; Kounde, Varane, Konate, T.Hernandez; Griezmann, Tchouameni, Y.Fofana; O.Dembele, Mbappe, Giroud

15:37Tom Victor

Friends and foes

Ahead of France's World Cup quarter-final against England, much was made of the battle between Kylian Mbappe and Kyle Walker, but the semi-final meeting with Morocco star Achraf Hakimi will be just as much of a test for the tournament's leading scorer.

Mbappe has scored five goals in Qatar, including two in the last-16 victory over Poland. He drew a blank against England, though, and Hakimi - like Manchester City defender Walker - is a rapid full-back with an attacking threat who will hope to neutralise one of France's main threats.

"He knows Mbappe better than me, he trains with him every day," Morocco boss Walid Regragui said of the right-back. "I'm sure he's better placed than me to know Kylian. I'm not going to set up any tactical plan to counter Mbappe."

The added bit of spice to this match-up comes with Hakimi and Mbappe friends and team-mates at Paris Saint-Germain. They'll be anything but friends for 90 minutes or more at Al Bayt Stadium, though, and it makes for one of the more intriguing battles with only one of France and Morocco able to reach the final.

Click here to read more!

15:34Felix Keith

Messi inspires Argentina to final

Argentina reached their sixth World Cup final after securing an impressive victory against 2018's runners-up Croatia.

Lionel Scaloni's side will face the winner of France vs Morocco in the final at the Lusail Stadium on Sunday thanks to a penalty from Lionel Messi and two strikes from Julian Alvarez.

Click here to read more!

15:33Tom Blow

Good evening!

Hello and welcome to our live World Cup blog!

Stay tuned to find out what happens on Wednesday night!