French president Emmanuel Macron gestures during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between France and Morocco at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar. (Photo | AP)
AL KHOR: French President Emmanuel Macron said he was "immensely proud" that France reached the World Cup final after he travelled to Qatar to watch the team's win over Morocco in the semifinals on Wednesday.
Macron sat beside FIFA president Gianni Infantino during the match at Al Bayt Stadium and stood up to applaud after the 2-0 victory. France will play Argentina in the final on Sunday.
"I feel very proud of my country. I'm very happy," Macron told reporters after the match. "I want the French to enjoy this simple happiness."
The French leader paid tribute to the "great" Moroccan team, Africa's first-ever semifinalist.
"The Moroccans have played very well," he added. "I want to tell the Moroccan people they have a great team ... I want to tell them of our friendship."
Morocco was ruled by France from 1912-56. Wednesday's match had political and emotional resonance for both nations, dredging up everything that's complex about the relationship in which France still wields considerable economic, political and cultural influence.
Macron said he will come back to Qatar on Sunday to attend the final at Lusail Stadium. He joked about being "too superstitious" to give his prediction. But before the match against Morocco, he was quick to say "France will win."
During his trip to the Gulf nation, he also visited a bazaar in Doha, the Qatari capital. Macron walked through a crowd at Souq Waqif wearing a scarf with the colours of the Qatari flag before getting into a car amid heavy security for the 50-kilometre (30-mile) trip from Doha to Al Khor for the match.
Macron skipped a summit of European Union and Southeast Asian leaders in Brussels to attend the match.
