Four hours until kick-off and that's all for this live page, but you won't have to wait long before we get going with all the serious build-up and coverage of France against Morocco.

Our page will be live from 17:30 GMT, with kick-off at 19:00 GMT.

Meanwhile, you will find all the latest World Cup news here.

Thanks for joining us today.

Image source, Getty Images

Walid Regragui was born in the Parisian suburbs, but in just three months as head coach has managed to unite Morocco.

As a player, he was a full-back for Ligue 1’s Toulouse and Racing Santander in La Liga.

He also played every game as Morocco got to the final of the African Nations Cup in 2004.

The first club he managed was Moroccan team, FUS Rabat, whom he took over in 2014 and soon led to their first ever title.

In 2020, he won another league title in Qatar with Al Duhail, before moving to Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca, where he delivered the club's joint-best season ever, winning the league as well as the African crown.

Image source, Getty Images

Sadiq Abdullateef: For those of us, who had always wanted an underdog to win a World Cup for ages, there has never been a better opportunity like it is with Morocco this time. It’s for the good of football in Africa, the Middle East & the world as a whole.

He might be outnumbered in Qatar, but this well-travelled France fan is ready for tonight's semi-final against Morocco...

Image source, EPA

...while some supporters will have divided loyalties tonight.

Image source, EPA

The World Cup remains in full focus until Sunday's final, but the return of English top-flight football is on the horizon.

Fourth-round ties in the Carabao Cup start on Tuesday, while the Premier League kicks into full gear on 26 December.

Many Premier League teams are out in the Middle East on warm-weather training camps, preparing for the resumption.

Sadly, there will be no festive football for Chelsea striker Armando Broja, who suffered a knee injury on Sunday playing in a friendly defeat against Aston Villa in Abu Dhabi.

The 21-year-old Albanian international is set to miss the rest of the season.

Image source, Getty Images

Away from the World Cup, former Chelsea striker and manager Gianluca Vialli has announced he is stepping away from his role working with the Italian Football Federation due to health reasons.

"At the end of a long and difficult negotiation with my wonderful team of oncologists, I have decided to suspend, hopefully temporarily, my present and future professional commitments," said the 58-year-old Italian, who has pancreatic cancer.

"The goal is to use all my energies to help my body overcome this phase of the disease, so as to be able to face new adventures as soon as possible and share them with all of you."

Vialli won 59 caps for Italy and played for Sampdoria and Juventus in Serie A. He scored 21 goals in 58 league appearances for Chelsea between 1996 to 1999, and managed the club from 1998 to 2000. He also went on to manage Watford.

He was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2017, was given the all-clear a year later, but announced it had returned in 2021.

Image source, Getty Images

Man-management has been key to Morocco head coach Walid Regragui's success and colleagues speak about him exuding positivity.

Amongst his achievements, bringing Chelsea star Hakim Ziyech back into the fold has been important.

Before Regragui's arrival, the 29-year-old winger had quit the national team, following a fall-out with previous coach Vahid Halilhodzic.

France

France are aiming to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.

They are playing in their seventh World Cup semi-final. Having been eliminated from each of their first three (1958, 1982, 1986), they've won each of their past three matches at this stage (1998, 2006, 2018).

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Pablo983: I love it that Morocco are in the semi finals. A well organised team who seem to want to play for each other i.e. no big names or big egos.

Morocco head coach Walid Regragui took over a team in crisis just three months ago. On Wednesday, he will have the opportunity to take them to a World Cup final.

The turnaround has been remarkable.

Already at this tournament, the 47-year-old has steered the Atlas Lions to three wins and a penalty shootout success in four matches. That comes off the back of just two victories in Morocco's previous 17.

Nickp: Olivier Giroud's headed goal against England was class, and he is a constant threat. Experience, ability and determination. At 36 he is one of the "old boys", but he is still is top form.

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport in Doha

Image source, BBC Sport

The atmosphere is really building in Souq Waqif where Morocco fans have gathered before tonight's huge semi-final against France.

This is the biggest game in the north African side's history and supporters have been chanting "Seer, Seer Maghreb (go, go Morocco)" and "Dima Maghreb (forever Morocco)" in the square.

TV crews from all around the world have been speaking to travelling fans, who are enjoying tea and shisha as they look to keep their nerves in check.

The result could go either way but one thing is for certain, Morocco fans are going to be bouncing in Al Bayt tonight.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Reuters

Got the miles in: How good would it be for Morocco to win the 2022 World Cup? It would be great for the game.

Morocco

Image source, Reuters

Five hours to kick-off...

Morocco are unbeaten in their last six World Cup matches (W3 D3), the longest unbeaten run by an African nation in World Cup history.

The question is: will they be in seventh heaven by the end of the night?

Chris Sutton
Former Premier League winner

Image source, Reuters

France don't play dazzling football but they are good to watch because they have got so many eye-catching players, and they seem to perform in fits and starts rather than sustain a high level for long periods.

That was how they got through their quarter-final - they were just more ruthless than England when they got their chances.

It is that quality in attack that should make the difference in this game as well. I am backing France to score first and see it through.

Image source, Reuters

Mark K: Sometimes it’s the people no one imagines anything of who do the things that no one can imagine.

From the Souq Waqif marketplace in Doha, Qatar...

Image source, Getty Images

...to back home in Marrakesh, the scene is set for Morocco fans as they prepare for a momentous moment in the African nation's footballing history.

Image source, Getty Images

Its Footy: Surely everyone has to be behind Morocco? They have done amazing. Don't give up or dive or cheat or whine. Just play football and try their best. Hope they win it.