Will beer sales in World Cup stadiums go from being allowed to being banned?

For the first time in history, there is a growing possibility that the beer sales policy will be changed in connection with the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which will be held in the Arab region.

The Guardian, a British newspaper, reported on the 18th that “there is a possibility that the sale of beer in all eight World Cup stadiums could be banned”.

Originally, in this tournament, it was decided to sell the beer in a designated area near the stadium before and after the match.

Qatar, an Islamic country, is a country where the sale and drink of alcohol is prohibited, but during the World Cup, a “global festival,” ticket holders are allowed to sell beer in designated areas outside the stadium.

Additionally, alcoholic beverages will be sold during the evening hours in the ‘fan zone’ in downtown Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The event’s organizing committee also announced plans to set up a separate area for those who have had too much to drink to reflect.

However, with just three days to go before the tournament opens, host country Qatar continues to voice its opinion to FIFA that the sale of beer around the stadium should be banned.

The brewing company Budweiser, one of the sponsors of FIFA, had already been informed last week to change its beer sales area around the stadium to a less conspicuous location.

The Guardian said: “The Qatari side wants to go further and ban the sale of beer altogether” and predicted that “the final decision will be taken on the 18th”.

A ban on the sale of beer around stadiums means that drinking will only be allowed in central Doha’s “fan zone” and in some hotels that serve alcohol to foreigners.

In the fan area, 500ml of beer is sold for 50 riyals (about 18,000 won).

/yunhap news