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AL Khor, Dec. 15 (AP) — French President Emmanuel Macron traveled to Qatar on Wednesday for the World Cup semifinal between France and Morocco, a politically charged encounter between the North African nation and its former colonizer .
Macron stood next to FIFA president Gianni Infantino in the stands of the Albert Stadium after the national anthems of both countries were played before kick-off.
He had earlier visited a bazaar in the Qatari capital Doha. Macron wore a scarf emblazoned with the colors of the Qatari flag through the crowd at Souq Waqif before getting into a car under heavy security for the 50-kilometre (30-mile) race from Doha to Al Khor.
“France will win,” Macron said when asked about his prediction.
Morocco was ruled by France from 1912-56. Wednesday’s game has political and emotional resonance for both countries. It unearths all the intricacies of a relationship in which France still wields considerable economic, political and cultural influence.
Macron skipped a summit of EU and Southeast Asian leaders in Brussels to attend the race. The winner will face Argentina in Sunday’s final. (Associated Press)
(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)
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