• Argentina's players celebrate at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia. AFP
    Argentina's players celebrate at the end of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between Argentina and Croatia. AFP
  • Argentina's supporters celebrate. AFP
    Argentina's supporters celebrate. AFP
  • Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, and Argentina's Julian Alvarez celebrate after scoring. AP
    Argentina's Lionel Messi, left, and Argentina's Julian Alvarez celebrate after scoring. AP
  • Croatia's midfielder #10 Luka Modric and Croatia's defender #06 Dejan Lovren react after losing 3-0. AFP
    Croatia's midfielder #10 Luka Modric and Croatia's defender #06 Dejan Lovren react after losing 3-0. AFP
  • Croatia's midfielder #10 Luka Modric attempts a shot at goal as Argentina's defender #19 Nicolas Otamendi and Argentina's midfielder #20 Alexis Mac Allister try to block him. AFP
    Croatia's midfielder #10 Luka Modric attempts a shot at goal as Argentina's defender #19 Nicolas Otamendi and Argentina's midfielder #20 Alexis Mac Allister try to block him. AFP
  • Argentina supporters wear t-shirts displaying portraits of Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi (L) and late football legend Diego Maradona. AFP
    Argentina supporters wear t-shirts displaying portraits of Argentina's forward #10 Lionel Messi (L) and late football legend Diego Maradona. AFP
  • Croatia's Luka Modric in action with Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister. Reuters
    Croatia's Luka Modric in action with Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister. Reuters
  • Argentina's Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring their second goal with Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Nahuel Molina as Croatia's Josko Gvardiol, Dominik Livakovic and Borna Sosa look dejected. Reuters
    Argentina's Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring their second goal with Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Nahuel Molina as Croatia's Josko Gvardiol, Dominik Livakovic and Borna Sosa look dejected. Reuters
  • Argentina's Julian Alvarez scores his side's second goal passing Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. AP
    Argentina's Julian Alvarez scores his side's second goal passing Croatia's goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic. AP
  • Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico is sent tumbling by Croatia's Mario Pasalic. Getty Images
    Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico is sent tumbling by Croatia's Mario Pasalic. Getty Images
  • Argentina fans support two of the team's best players: Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria. Getty Images
    Argentina fans support two of the team's best players: Lionel Messi and Angel Di Maria. Getty Images
  • The scramble to capture Messi's moment. AFP
    The scramble to capture Messi's moment. AFP
  • The stage is set for fireworks at Lusail Stadium. Getty Images
    The stage is set for fireworks at Lusail Stadium. Getty Images
  • Supporters of Argentina, one wearing a mask of the nation's late footballing great Diego Maradona, are in loud spirits in the stadium. AFP
    Supporters of Argentina, one wearing a mask of the nation's late footballing great Diego Maradona, are in loud spirits in the stadium. AFP
  • Luka Modric is Croatia's captain, playmaker and talisman. AFP
    Luka Modric is Croatia's captain, playmaker and talisman. AFP
  • Lusail Stadium hosts the tournament's first semi-final. Getty Images
    Lusail Stadium hosts the tournament's first semi-final. Getty Images
  • Kick-off is at 10pm (11pm UAE). Getty Images
    Kick-off is at 10pm (11pm UAE). Getty Images
  • Morocco's midfielder Hakim Ziyech faces France on Wednesday. AFP
    Morocco's midfielder Hakim Ziyech faces France on Wednesday. AFP
  • France's Kylian Mbappe was quiet during France's win over England. He'll be hoping to rediscover his scintillating tournament form against Morocco on Wednesday. EPA
    France's Kylian Mbappe was quiet during France's win over England. He'll be hoping to rediscover his scintillating tournament form against Morocco on Wednesday. EPA
  • Croatia fans are at Souq Waqif, Doha, ahead of kick-off. EPA
    Croatia fans are at Souq Waqif, Doha, ahead of kick-off. EPA
  • They are in Qatar to watch their side take on Argentina in the first semi-final. EPA
    They are in Qatar to watch their side take on Argentina in the first semi-final. EPA
  • Morocco supporters are also in good spirits ahead of their side's match on Wednesday. AP
    Morocco supporters are also in good spirits ahead of their side's match on Wednesday. AP
  • Argentina fans have been enjoying barbecues outside their accommodation in Barwa Barahat Al Janoub. Reuters
    Argentina fans have been enjoying barbecues outside their accommodation in Barwa Barahat Al Janoub. Reuters
  • The Doha Corniche. Reuters
    The Doha Corniche. Reuters
  • Dromedaries have been a regular sight throughout the city during the World Cup. Reuters
    Dromedaries have been a regular sight throughout the city during the World Cup. Reuters
  • The 'Al Hilm' is the official match ball that will be used in the semi-finals and final. AFP
    The 'Al Hilm' is the official match ball that will be used in the semi-finals and final. AFP
  • Morocco coach Walid Regragui is two wins away from completing the greatest World Cup moment in Arab history. Reuters
    Morocco coach Walid Regragui is two wins away from completing the greatest World Cup moment in Arab history. Reuters

Moroccan airline cancels World Cup flights ahead of France match


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Morocco's national airline has cancelled all flights it had scheduled for Wednesday to carry fans to Doha for the World Cup semi-final.

Royal Air Maroc cited what it said was a decision by Qatari authorities, Reuters reported.

“Following the latest restrictions imposed by the Qatari authorities, Royal Air Maroc regrets to inform customers of the cancellation of their flights operated by Qatar Airways,” the airline said.

The Qatari government's international media office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Royal Air Maroc had said on Tuesday that it had “scheduled 30 flights operated by wide-body aircraft for Tuesday and Wednesday”, for Wednesday night's match against France.

On Tuesday, a source at a Royal Air Maroc travel agency said only 14 flights had been scheduled.

The airline also said that supporters who took Royal Air Maroc flights to Doha would be able to change their return date without any cost or penalty.

Morocco are guaranteed another game after the semi-final — either the final on Sunday or the third-place play-off on Saturday.

The cancellation of Wednesday's scheduled flights — said to be seven services — means fans who had already booked match tickets and hotel rooms have been unable to travel.

Royal Air Maroc said it would reimburse air tickets.

Officials from Royal Air Maroc and flight operator Qatar Airways did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Updated: December 14, 2022, 11:45 AM