Morocco boss Walid Regragui comments on France World Cup semi-final, injuries

The Atlas Lions have emerged as the team of the tournament, initially topping a group which included 2018 runners-up Croatia and world number two Belgium.

Although progression through to the last 16 was regarded as a huge success, Morocco have since backed up their previous efforts by ousting Spain in a penalty shootout and Portugal by a 1-0 scoreline in the quarter-finals.

Morocco have become the first African side to reach this stage of the tournament and they are now preparing to take on reigning world champions France.

Despite their recent exploits, Morocco are considerable underdogs to record yet another notable scalp in Qatar as they bid to become the most unlikely finalists in World Cup history.

While Regragui admits that France are favourites to prevail at the Al Bayt Stadium, Regragui has talked up his team's chances against Les Bleus on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters at a press conference, Regragui said: "We had perhaps the most difficult route to the semis. Every round people thought we would get knocked out but we are still here and we are going to fight to the end.

"If you get to the semi-finals and you are not hungry then there is a problem. We want Africa to be top of the world, but we will have to be strong to progress.

"We are not the favourites but we are confident - maybe that makes me mad, crazy? A bit of crazy can be good."

Morocco face the prospect of missing at least two key players for this fixture due to injuries sustained by centre-backs Nayef Aguerd and Romain Saiss.

Aguerd was absent from the last-eight showdown with Portugal due to a groin injury, while Saiss was forced off before the hour mark of that fixture after aggravating a hamstring problem.

Despite it being likely that the pair will remain sidelined, Regragui said: "As everyone knows, we have a number of injuries but we have an excellent medical staff and they are working very hard and coming in with good news every day.

"No-one is out for now, but no-one is definitely in either. We will put out the best side possible."

Full-back Noussair Mazraoui is also an injury doubt after missing the quarter-final, while forward Walid Cheddira is suspended after being dismissed during the closing stages on Saturday.