For a lot of fans, beer and football goes hand in hand. However, with the Football World Cup 2022 taking place in Qatar, which has strict control on alcohol sales and strict rules against alcohol consumption, fans were unclear about what to expect.
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As reported by Reuters, football fans can rest easy since news has emerged that indeed, football fans who love their pint would be able to indulge themselves. But there is a major catch.
Beer at the Qatar World Cup
As per Reuter's source, Qatar will permit ticketed fans to buy alcoholic beer at the WorldCup matches starting 3 hours before kick-off and for 1 hour after the final whistle. However, alcohol will not be sold during the match.
The source is quoted by Reuters as saying,
Beer will be available when gates open, which is three hours before kick off. Whoever wants to have a beer will be able to. And then when they leave the stadium as well for one hour after the final whistle.
Budweiser, which is a major World Cup sponsor, will be permitted to serve beer in part of the main FIFA fan zone in central Doha from 6:30pm to 1:00am everyday of the tournament.
It is still unclear what range of prices football fans would be charged for their beer.
Enjoying football while respecting local culture
The current move is a way for FIFA to respect Muslim culture in Qatar which maintains limits against alcohol consumption.
Reuters quotes a spokesperson for Budweiser brewer AB InBev, who said in an emailed statement,
We are working closely with FIFA, which is managing the relationship with the Qatari authorities, to ensure our activations for the tournament are executed respectfully and in compliance with local rules and regulations.
As per the report, it is not immediately clear how the logistics of the alcohol sales would play out in Qatar. Currently, alcohol consumption in public spaces is illegal in the country. Also, foreign visitors are not allowed to being in alcohol into the country. The only available alcohol in a few licensed hotels and clubs are extremely pricey, costing about $18 a pint.
Sources used:
Reuters: 'EXCLUSIVE Soccer-Qatar to allow beer sales at World Cup games 3 hours before kickoff - source'
The Scottish Sun: 'England fans will be able to drink beer at the World Cup – but there’s a big catch'
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