Rabat – With the World Cup 2022 in Qatar approaching, stadiums are set to be alcohol-free, meaning football supporters will be required to take only non-alcoholic drinks to their seats.
Although FIFA’s website advertises in the hospitality packages that “beer, Champagne, sommelier-selected wines, and premium spirits” will be available in VIP lounges at the stadiums, Qatar was initially resistant to any alcohol being served inside the arenas.
The packages have been sold since February 2021 but a policy for most fans at the eight venues and World Cup sponsor Budweiser still needs to be finalized less than five months before the tournament.
FIFA said designs are still being looked into for possible branding for drinking containers fans would hold in the stadiums. But the football governing body has yet to come with an official statement regarding the beer policy for the World Cup.
While the FIFA said that all details would be announced “in due course,” international reports quoted a spokesperson as saying: “Alcohol is already available in designated areas in Qatar, such as hotels and bars, and this will not change.”
The spokesperson also pledged that liquor would be “available in additional designated areas during the tournament.”
This is the first time for the international sporting event, set to kick off in November this year and last for four weeks, to be held in a Muslim country.
With Qatar being a Muslim-majority country, alcohol sales follow strict limitations. Alcohol consumption is severely restricted in the Gulf country and it is also illegal to drink in public places.
Public drunkenness in Qatar could result in a prison sentence of up to six months. Alcohol is also only available at licensed hotel restaurants and bars.
Negotiations appear to be underway to find a common ground to please football supporters without disrespecting the country’s culture and traditions nor breaking Islamic law.
In June, Qatar banned sexual relations between unmarried people during the sporting event. The decision concerns both nationals and foreigners, with authorities emphasizing that one-night stands could lead to seven years imprisonment.
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