<p>Thousands of Argentina fans packed the centre of Doha ahead of Sunday's World Cup final against France, amid a desperate scramble to find tickets.</p>.<p>Even as Croatia beat Morocco in the third-place contest Saturday, Argentina fans packed the Souq Waqif market and fan zones around the Qatar capital.</p>.<p>The prospect of Lionel Messi finally winning a World Cup in his last tournament has brought extra flights of Argentina fans to the Gulf state.</p>.<p>At least 40,000 Argentinians are estimated to be in Doha, many wearing blue and white number 10 Messi shirts around the streets.</p>.<p>About 10,000 supporters of Kylian Mbappe's France, who are looking to win a second straight title, are in Qatar, officials say.</p>.<p>"Tomorrow we will be champions," chanted a crowd of more than 2,000 Argentinians in the Souq Waqif market.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/el-leo-has-emerged-out-of-the-el-diego-shadow-1172658.html" target="_blank">'El Leo' has emerged out of the 'El Diego' shadow</a></strong></p>.<p>"It's crazy. I have never experienced anything like this in my whole life," said 23-year-old Camila Bernstein, who is in Doha with her father and brothers.</p>.<p>"I never thought we would reach the final. It's the best moment of my life, we are going to win and become champions," she said.</p>.<p>"We all believe this will be Messi's day," said Ricardo Schwarz, a teacher from Cordoba, his voice hoarse from singing the fan songs for more than an hour.</p>.<p>"I still don't have a ticket but I have not given up hope yet," he added. "They are on the market but they are expensive."</p>.<p>Supporters have told <em>AFP</em> that tickets with a face value of $750 are being offered for more than $4,000 on WhatsApp groups set up to trade in seats at the 88,500-capacity Lusail Iconic Stadium.</p>.<p>Similar big crowds of sky blue and white shirts were seen at the FIFA fan festival and other fan parks set up for the World Cup.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/music-starts-with-messi-says-fifas-wenger-1172649.html" target="_blank">Music starts with Messi, says FIFA's Wenger</a></strong></p>.<p>The rare French fans on the streets of Doha said they were wary of the atmosphere.</p>.<p>"They are not hostile, but it is clear there are more Argentinians than French here," said Luc Gardez, who sat at a restaurant in the Msheireb district wearing a national team shirt.</p>.<p>"It is Messi's last tournament and there will be a lot of emotion but I think France have the mentality to cope," added the supporter from Rennes.</p>.<p>France coach Didier Deschamps has also said he expects a one-sided atmosphere in the stadium on Sunday.</p>.<p>"I expect a festive atmosphere with the Argentine people who are passionate and will be right behind their team.</p>.<p>"They sing a lot and are very expressive. That's good, it's a World Cup final after all, but our opponents are not in the stands."</p>
<p>Thousands of Argentina fans packed the centre of Doha ahead of Sunday's World Cup final against France, amid a desperate scramble to find tickets.</p>.<p>Even as Croatia beat Morocco in the third-place contest Saturday, Argentina fans packed the Souq Waqif market and fan zones around the Qatar capital.</p>.<p>The prospect of Lionel Messi finally winning a World Cup in his last tournament has brought extra flights of Argentina fans to the Gulf state.</p>.<p>At least 40,000 Argentinians are estimated to be in Doha, many wearing blue and white number 10 Messi shirts around the streets.</p>.<p>About 10,000 supporters of Kylian Mbappe's France, who are looking to win a second straight title, are in Qatar, officials say.</p>.<p>"Tomorrow we will be champions," chanted a crowd of more than 2,000 Argentinians in the Souq Waqif market.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/el-leo-has-emerged-out-of-the-el-diego-shadow-1172658.html" target="_blank">'El Leo' has emerged out of the 'El Diego' shadow</a></strong></p>.<p>"It's crazy. I have never experienced anything like this in my whole life," said 23-year-old Camila Bernstein, who is in Doha with her father and brothers.</p>.<p>"I never thought we would reach the final. It's the best moment of my life, we are going to win and become champions," she said.</p>.<p>"We all believe this will be Messi's day," said Ricardo Schwarz, a teacher from Cordoba, his voice hoarse from singing the fan songs for more than an hour.</p>.<p>"I still don't have a ticket but I have not given up hope yet," he added. "They are on the market but they are expensive."</p>.<p>Supporters have told <em>AFP</em> that tickets with a face value of $750 are being offered for more than $4,000 on WhatsApp groups set up to trade in seats at the 88,500-capacity Lusail Iconic Stadium.</p>.<p>Similar big crowds of sky blue and white shirts were seen at the FIFA fan festival and other fan parks set up for the World Cup.</p>.<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/football/music-starts-with-messi-says-fifas-wenger-1172649.html" target="_blank">Music starts with Messi, says FIFA's Wenger</a></strong></p>.<p>The rare French fans on the streets of Doha said they were wary of the atmosphere.</p>.<p>"They are not hostile, but it is clear there are more Argentinians than French here," said Luc Gardez, who sat at a restaurant in the Msheireb district wearing a national team shirt.</p>.<p>"It is Messi's last tournament and there will be a lot of emotion but I think France have the mentality to cope," added the supporter from Rennes.</p>.<p>France coach Didier Deschamps has also said he expects a one-sided atmosphere in the stadium on Sunday.</p>.<p>"I expect a festive atmosphere with the Argentine people who are passionate and will be right behind their team.</p>.<p>"They sing a lot and are very expressive. That's good, it's a World Cup final after all, but our opponents are not in the stands."</p>