Morocco stars Ziyech and Hakimi train for 'crazy' World Cup semi-final clash - in pictures

Atlas Lions face defending champions France on Wednesday

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  Morocco's Hakim Ziyech, centre, and teammates at training in Doha on the eve of their World Cup semi-final against France. EPA

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  Morocco's defender Achraf Hakimi listens to Morocco's coach Walid Regragui during a training session at the Al Duhail SC Stadium in Doha on December 13 2022, on the eve of the Qatar 2022 World Cup football semi-final match between France and Morocco. (Photo by KARIM JAAFAR / AFP)

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  Sofyan Amrabat, left, and midfielder Abdelhamid Sabiri take part in a training session at Al Duhail Stadium in Doha. AFP

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  Morocco's Achraf Hakimi during training. Reuters

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  Morocco coach Walid Regragui leads his team's training session in Doha. EPA

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  Morocco coach Walid Regragui leads the training session. EPA

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  Abde Ezzalzouli, second left, and Hakim Ziyech during the training session. EPA

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  Morocco coach Walid Regragui during training. EPA

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  Morocco players prepare for the France clash, EPA

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  Yahya Jabrane controls the ball during the Morocco training session. Getty

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  Morocco coach Walid Regragui gives instructions to Achraf Hakimi. EPA

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  Achraf Dari of Morocco. Getty

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  Badr Benoun, left, and Sofiane Boufal of Morocco. Getty

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  Sofiane Boufal of Morocco controls the ball during the training session at Al Duhail Stadium. Getty

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  Morocco's forward Youssef En-Nesyri. AFP

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  Players warm up for the team's training session in Doha. EPA

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  Selim Amallah of Morocco prepares for the session at Al Duhail Stadium. Getty

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  Morocco players Abde Ezzalzouli and Hakim Ziyech. EPA

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  Morocco goalkeeper Yassine Bounou, better known as Bono, during the training session at the Duhail Stadium. AP

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  Morocco coach Walid Regragui juggles with a ball. AFP

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  Morocco midfielder Sofiane Boufal takes part in a training session. AFP

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  Moroccan players stretch during a training session. AP

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  Bilal El Khannouss during training. AP

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  Moroccan players prepare to face France. AP

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  Morocco midfielder Hakim Ziyech takes part in a training session. AFP

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  Hakim Ziyech in action during training. EPA

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  Morocco's Abde Ezzalzouli juggles with the ball. EPA

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  Morocco's Abde Ezzalzouli. Reuters

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  Morocco's goalkeeper Bono. AFP

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  Ilias Chair of Morocco. Getty

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  Morocco midfielder Hakim Ziyech eyes the ball. AFP

Coach Walid Regragui watched his Morocco stars prepare for their epic encounter with France and promised they will fight to achieve their “crazy” dream of a place in the World Cup final.

Morocco have already made history as the first African team – and the first Arab side – to reach the last four, having stunned Belgium, Spain and Portugal on their thrilling journey to the semis.

The Atlas Lions face the ultimate test against reigning world champions France on Wednesday, but Regragui says they are not yet finished.

“The further you get, the more difficult the games are. We are playing the world champions with world-class players and a very good coach, possibly the best in the world,” he said.

“But we will show great desire and try to pull off an upset. Why not reach the final of the World Cup?

“We’ve come to this competition to change mindsets within our continent. If we say the semi-final is enough, I don’t agree.

“We aren’t satisfied with the semi-final and being the first African team to do that. We want to go further.

“We are hungry. I don’t know if it will be enough but we want Africa to be on top of the world. I know we are not favourites but we are confident.

“You might think that’s crazy, but a bit of craziness is good.”

Images of the Morocco squad working out can be seen in the gallery above. To view the next image, just swipe.