Saudi Crown Prince congratulates Morocco's King on football team's World Cup success

Semi-final berth a source of pride and happiness for Arab countries, Prince Mohammed says

Morocco fans celebrate at Souq Waqif in Doha after their country's World Cup win over Portugal. AFP

Morocco fans in the Astoria neighbourhood of Queens, New York. Reuters

Morocco fans in Paris. Reuters

Morocco fans in Doha. Getty

A Morocco fan celebrates in London. Reuters

The UK capital was taken over by Moroccans. Reuters

A Moroccan fan on his horse in Casablanca. Reuters

Fans block a bus in Trafalgar Square, London. Reuters

Morocco fans in London celebrate after reaching the semi-final. Reuters

Fans wave their flags in Rabat. EPA

Moroccans in Rabat watching the match. AP Photo

Moroccans beat their drums in Rabat. AP

This Morroccan fan in Rabat celebrated with cake. AP

Moroccans celebrate in Rabat. AP

Souq Waqif in Doha was taken over by Morocco supporters. AFP

Mohammed celebrates with a replica World Cup trophy in Rabat, Morocco. AP

More scenes from Souq Waqif in Doha. AFP

Celebrations in Rabt went on well into the night. AFP

A fan is thrown in the air during Rabat celebrations. AFP

More scenes of joy from the Moroccan capital. AFP

Morocco's supporters celebrate in Rabat. AFP

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has congratulated Morocco's King Mohamed on his country's progression to the World Cup semi-finals.

Prince Mohammed said the success of Morocco's national football team was a source of pride and happiness for Arab countries, state news agency SPA reported.

King Mohamed thanked the Saudi Crown Prince for his phone call.

Morocco beat Portugal 1-0 on Saturday to become the first African and Arab country in World Cup history to reach the semi-finals.

Morocco will play defending champions France on Wednesday. A victory would set up a final against either Argentina or Croatia.

The World Cup in Qatar has united supporters of teams from the region.

Capital Rabat was bursting with joy and Morocco fans also celebrated on the streets of Doha and in cities across Europe. Fans from the Middle East and Africa who have adopted the Atlas Lions as their team were also jubilant.

“We were so stressed as if we were on the pitch with the players, but now we want the trophy,” said Mohamed Amine, celebrating in Rabat.

“The players, this team, lifted Morocco’s reputation high among the nations of the world.”

The victory has Morocco fans full of confidence.

“I am so happy that I don’t even know if I can express myself,” said Yasmine Benmehredj, also from Rabat.

“But if we are here now, I believe that we can make it to the final. I think we can win this World Cup.”