The 2022 World Cup matches in Qatar will be almost completely alcohol-free, according to a new report by Reuters.
An unnamed source claims that beer sales for the outside arenas only be allowed before and after some matches — which is not that much of a surprise given that an estimated 1.2 million spectators will be in attendance and that the Cup is taking place in a Muslim country that doesn’t entirely prohibit alcohol, but severely restricts it (mainly to hotels and never in public). After all, even booze-friendly countries like England and France restrict alcohol sales during soccer matches.
“The current discussion is to allow fans to have beer upon arrival and when leaving stadium, but beer won’t be served during the match or inside the stadium bowl,” the source told Reuters. Brazil, the host of the 2014 World Cup, had temporarily lifted its stadium alcohol ban.
Fans will be able to buy beer, at limited times, at parts of the main FIFA fan zone, on a “disused corner” of the Doha Golf Club miles away from the stadiums and a walled-off sandy plot near a hotel and a district cooling plant.
As Yahoo Sports points out, beer sponsor Budweiser certainly won’t be happy about this development. This is just one of many concessions FIFA has had to make to host the matches in Qatar, which has spent an estimated $200 billion to host the World Cup: The matches were moved from now to late in the year due to the summer heat. And that’s not to mention the country’s abuse of migrant workers — including several thousand reported deaths.
That 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand is looking better each passing day.
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