Alcohol ban at the World Cup: Qatar wants to overturn the beer rule before the opening game - except in the VIP boxes

Created: 2022-11-19 06:08

By: Antonio Jose Riether

About 48 hours before the opening game of the World Cup, host Qatar opposes the already agreed alcohol serving area around the stadiums.

Doha - The World Cup in Qatar is also associated with many debates.

In addition to the discussions about the allocation of the tournament and human rights violations in the host country, there has also been a controversy over the past few weeks about the serving of alcohol, more precisely beer.

According to a report, a complete alcohol ban is to be issued just 48 hours before the opening game - contrary to the original agreements.

World Cup 2022: Report on another change in strategy for beer serving in Qatar

Shortly before the start of the World Cup, the host wants to enforce a complete ban on alcohol around the stadiums.

As the British newspaper

writes, the strategy for serving alcohol is to be changed again.

Accordingly, no beer should be sold in the areas of the eight World Cup arenas.

Officially, this should be announced 48 hours before the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador, i.e. on Friday evening, by the world association FIFA.

The stadiums for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

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World Cup 2022: Fans should be able to buy beer during the games - Qatar objects

Originally, FIFA and its beer sponsor Budweiser resisted the host's efforts and initiated their own serving concept.

So far, it was planned that supporters could buy alcoholic beer in selected zones within the stadium areas during the respective games.

However, the beer should not be served directly in the arenas and only before and after the games, only non-alcoholic beer is served in the stadiums themselves.

Another opportunity for fans to get beer is at the official Fanfest in central Doha.

World Cup 2022: Qatar prevails in the beer dispute – and defies FIFA and the sponsor

Now the strategy should be changed again.

According to media reports, sales stands that had already been set up around the stadiums were already being dismantled at the beginning of the week.

These are to be rebuilt in other places.

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© Ulmer/imago

Both FIFA and the World Cup organizing committee initially did not comment on the reports.

report

, the Qataris have now prevailed just before the start of the tournament.

Although alcohol is not completely forbidden in Qatar, it is only served to a very limited extent.

For example, foreigners can get alcoholic drinks in bars or restaurants of certain hotels.

There is also the possibility for tourists over the age of 21 to buy alcohol in a shop with a residence permit.

The ban on alcohol only applies to normal spectators at the games, according to the host, beer, wine and spirits are served in the VIP boxes.