Two days before the opening of the World Cup in Qatar on the 20th (local time), there were reports that the sale of beer was banned at the World Cup stadium.
The Associated Press and the New York Times reported on the 18th, quoting an anonymous source, that the Qatari government had decided to ban the sale of beer with alcohol in eight stadiums where World Cup matches are held. Consequently, only non-alcoholic beer is allowed to be sold.
As soon as the report came out, the International Football Federation (FIFA) released a statement and held discussions with host country Qatar to ban the sale of alcohol near the stadium, stating that alcohol was only sold in the fans”.
Qatar, a Muslim country, strictly limits the sale of alcoholic beverages, but in compliance with FIFA’s sponsorship deal, ticket holders could only purchase beer at designated locations near the stadium during the World Cup. Beer company Budweiser and FIFA have a sponsorship deal worth $75 million.
Last week the Qatari government advised moving the beer sales area around the stadium to a less conspicuous location.