Five months before the start of the Qatar 2022 World Cup, uncertainty continues about the restrictions in that country and one of those is alcohol consumption, which indicates that it will be limited.
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To the prohibition of having extramarital relations and carrying the LGBT+ flag in Qatar, the sale and consumption of alcohol outside the zones and times allowed during the World Cup would be added.
The great soccer event will be held for the first time in a Muslim country, whose culture and religion do not allow drinking alcohol in public, among other things.
Will there be beer in Qatar stadiums?
The stadiums of the Qatar 2022 World Cup will be free of beer and any other type of alcoholic beverage, the Brazilian media outlet Globo confirmed .
The Arab country will not allow the sale and consumption of alcohol in the stadiums during the tournament matches to respect Muslim culture.
However, there will be the sale and consumption of alcohol in the so-called World Cup Fan Fest, which has historically been associated with the consumption of beer and with the sponsorship of imported beer brands.
Where can beer be consumed in Qatar?
The sale and consumption of alcohol during the Qatar 2022 World Cup will be in the official Fans Fest, not inside the stadiums. In addition, there will only be alcohol sales before and after the games, and not throughout the day.
However, the authorities are still analyzing the possibility of allowing alcohol in the boxes and other VIP areas of the stadiums .
The organizers are also still analyzing the authorization of some places, far from the stadiums, such as Al Bidda Park, in Doha, or the Doha Golf Club, to allow the consumption of beer with limited hours.
Alcohol will be allowed, without time restrictions, in hotels and bars . In addition, there will be beer sales in places authorized for private consumption – the only liquor store in the country is on the outskirts of Doha and only sells to residents with a permit. Fans will not be allowed to enter the country with alcoholic beverages.
The organizers of the Qatar 2022 World Cup have insisted that all people are welcome, but must respect their culture and expect a family atmosphere. They have not yet given an official final decision on alcohol consumption.
A special call to the English Hooligans
One of the most notable hobbies for their excessive alcohol consumption is the English, for which the British ambassador in Qatar, Rick Edwards , sent a warning to his compatriots who attend the World Cup, and suggested that they adapt and respect the rules of the country .
“My advice to everyone is to come, but come prepared. Take your time to prepare for the trip and learn about the rules that prevail in this nation,” Edwards told the BBC .
“The people who are going to come, to be aware of the updates that are made, because they have not detailed all the recommendations yet,” Edwards added. “There is alcohol here but it will be restricted. This is a culture of contention and the principle will be ‘everyone is welcome in Qatar and who you are and where you are will be respected’ .”
This recommendation is given above all as a result of the problems that occurred in the final of Euro 2020 between the fans of England and Italy in London, which resulted in a total of 90 people being arrested and multiple damages in the British capital.
During the 2019 Club World Cup held in Doha, a Fan Zone where alcohol could be consumed was tested on the outskirts of the Qatari capital.
There, the cost of beer and other alcoholic beverages was at a lower price, and allowed better control of the fans.
Less than five months before the Qatar 2022 World Cup gets underway, it was announced that the stadiums hosting this World Cup will be free from the sale of alcohol during matches, according to a source close to the Event organization.
According to the Reuters Agency , a spokesman for the Supreme Committee for the Delivery and Legacy of Qatar , who is close to FIFA for the organization of the great event, announced that the sale of alcohol and beer will only be allowed before and after some tournament matches.
This is due to the multiple restrictions that Qatar and several Middle Eastern countries have , so according to the sources already mentioned, the organization has worked hard to find a solution for visiting fans and especially some beer brands that They act as sponsors of the event.
“In the stadiums, the plans are still being developed, but the current discussion is to allow fans to drink beer when arriving and leaving the stadium , but no beer will be served during the match or inside the stadium,” explained the source contacted by Reuters.
It was also announced that as part of these aforementioned restrictions that Qatar has, the sale of beer at the Fan Zone points that will be located in the country will not be unlimited as in previous World Cups , and they will have sales hours restricted, because drinking in public places is prohibited.
“Unlike previous ‘Fan Zones,’ beer at Qatar 2022 will not be served all day, but rather during restricted hours ,” the spokesperson explained.
Finally, the spokesman who collaborates with the organization of the World Cup, revealed that hotels and bars in Qatar 2022 will have this alcohol , although all the details about it have not yet been clarified.
“Alcohol is already available in designated areas in Qatar, such as hotels and bars, and this will not change in 2022. In order to cater to visiting fans, alcohol will be available in additional designated areas during the tournament,” he added.
