2022 FIFA World Cup semifinal matches preview

DOHA – The 2022 FIFA World Cup is approaching the closing stages with semifinals and finals awaiting upon us. Defending champions France faced easy opponent Morocco for the first time in 15 years, while 1986 champions Argentina battle 2018 runners-up Croatia. So who will advance to the final?

1. Argentina vs. Croatia

Both sides have met five times, winning twice each and drawing once. Two of those matches took place in the previous World Cup group stages, a 1–0 win for Argentina in 1998's Group H was followed by Croatia's 3–0 win in 2018's Group D. Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Luka Modric (Croatia) also had their own previous meetings in La Liga's popular El Classico matches when Messi had previously played with FC Barcelona and Modric currently with Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi (Argentina) and Luka Modric (Croatia) had occassionally met each other during their El Classico matches between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively.

- Officials:

a. Referee: Daniele Orsato (Italy)

b. Assistant referees:

- Ciro Carbone (Italy)

- Alessandro Giallatini (Italy)

c. Fourth official: Mohammed Abdulla Hassan Mohamed (United Arab Emirates)

d. Reserve assistant referee: Mohamed Al-Hammadi (United Arab Emirates)

e. Video assistant referee/VAR: Massimiliano Irrati (Italy)

f. Assistant video assistant referees:

- Paolo Valeri (Italy)

- Kathryn Nesbitt (United States)

- Juan Soto (Venezuela)

g. Stand-by video assistant referee: Bastian Dankert (Germany)

h. Stand-by assistant video assistant referee: Kyle Atkins (United States)

- Time: Tuesday, December 13 @ 10:00 pm (+3 AST)

- Venue: Lusail Stadium

2. France vs. Morocco

France has met Morocco seven times, winning five and drawing two. They most recently met in a friendly 15 years ago in 2007, with the match ending in a 2–2 draw. This will be their first World Cup meeting. This match marks the first ever World Cup semi-final featuring an African team, and also the first involving an Arab country. This is the third time that a team from a confederation other than Europe and South America have made it to the World Cup semi-finals, after the United States in 1930 and South Korea in 2002.

- Officials

Cesar A. Ramos of Mexico will be the referee for the semifinal match of France vs. Morocco

Drew Fischer from Calgary, Alberta, Canada (pictured in 2016) will be the lead VAR reviewer for France vs. Morocco semifinal match.

a. Referee: César Arturo Ramos (Mexico)

b. Assistant referees:

- Alberto Morín (Mexico)

- Miguel Hernández (Mexico)

c. Fourth official: Jesús Valenzuela (Venezuela)

d. Reserve assistant referee: Jorge Urrego (Venezuela)

e. Video assistant referee/VAR: Drew Fischer (Canada)

f. Assistant video assistant referees:

- Nicolás Gallo (Colombia)

- Neuza Back (Brazil)

- Armando Villarreal (United States)

g. Stand-by video assistant referee: Fernando Guerrero (Mexico)

h. Stand-by assistant video assistant referee: Corey Parker (United States)

- Time: Wednesday, December 14 @ 10:00 pm (+3 AST)

- Venue: Al-Bayt Stadium, Al Khor

Sources:

- Argentina vs. Croatia head-to-head stats

- France vs. Morocco head-to-head stats