Surprise package Morocco will be looking to end their World Cup on a high when they take on Croatia in the third place play-off in Qatar.
Meanwhile, finalists France have been plagued by illness ahead of their attempt to defend their 2018 title against Argentina on Sunday.
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what’s to come from the last two days at the World Cup.
The disease is not a problem, insists Dembélé
French striker Ousmane Dembele insists that the illness affecting some members of the team is not distracting from his preparations for the World Cup final.
Center backs Raphael Varane and Ibrahima Konate are the latest two players reported to have been affected by the disease inside the camp.
Midfielder Adrien Rabiot was absent in Wednesday’s semi-final win over Morocco, while another centre-back, Dayot Upamecano, and winger Kingsley Coman have also not been feeling well in recent days.
“We are not afraid of the virus,” Dembele said.
“Dayot and Adrien had a headache, maybe a stomach ache, but they have tea, ginger and honey and that helps a lot.
“We’re not worried about that, so we hope everyone is fully fit for Sunday’s game.”
France is following strict medical precautions to prevent the spread of the disease virus.
“Risky” appointment of Qatari officials – Dalic
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic believes the appointment of Qatari referee Abdulrahman Al Jassim for their third-place match against Morocco is a “big risk”.
Al Jassim will be accompanied by Qatari assistants, but Dalic criticized the decision to appoint a local official.
“To be honest, I think FIFA has now taken a big risk,” he said.
“I’m not underestimating anyone, but I hope we’re not talking about the referee after tomorrow’s game.”
Dalic hopes the match will not be the last for Luka Modric, 37, at international level.
“Knowing how he feels about football and the Croatian national team, I’m pretty sure he (will keep playing), but it’s just his decision,” he added.
Regragui happy to win the ‘bobo award’
The World Cup third place playoff is generally considered the worst game to play, but Morocco head coach Walid Regragui still wants to win it and become the first African nation to medal in a final.
They will face Croatia at the Khalifa International Stadium on Saturday to battle for the bronze medal, having already become the first African nation to reach a World Cup semi-final.
“Finishing third is not the same as finishing fourth and we want to take home a medal,” said Regragui, who also referred to the match as the “silly prize.”
“When you come out of a semi-final, the first time we were in one, emotions were running high and it was quite difficult, however my players still have that appetite to want to finish well.”
Expanded Club World Cup announced
The prospects of a European Super League may be further away than ever, but the domestic soccer calendar is set to become more congested for the top clubs after FIFA announced the expansion of the Club World Cup.
President Gianni Infantino has revealed the introduction of a new quadrennial men’s tournament to begin in the summer of 2025 and feature 32 teams from around the world, having canceled the original 24-team tournament planned for last year due to the pandemic. of coronavirus.
“They will be the best teams in the world. They will be invited to participate,” Infantino said.
The Premier League has yet to see any formal proposal from FIFA about the Club World Cup in 2025, nor the expanded World Cup the following year, the PA news agency understands.
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Croatia-Morocco, play-off for third-fourth place (Saturday 3:00 p.m., BBC One)