Men’s FIFA World Cup stadiums in Qatar could be alcohol-free
As Qatar prepares for an influx of foreign fans attending the Men's FIFA World Cup, stadium stands could be alcohol-free with beer sales outside arenas only allowed before and after some matches. Men's FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar from 21st November to 18th December 2022.
Men's FIFA World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar from 21st November to 18th December 2022 and with the event being the first time to be held in a Muslim country, strict controls on alcohol are presenting challenges for organisers.
A source recently told Reuters "at stadiums, the plans are still being finalised, but the current discussion is to allow fans to have beer upon arrival and when leaving [a] stadium, but beer won't be served during the match or inside the stadium bowl.”
A document dated 2nd June 2 gives the first insight into how organisers plan to handle the demands of an estimated 1.2 million football fans.
For Qatar, while not a completely “dry” country like neighbouring Saudi Arabia, consuming alcohol in public places is illegal.
Alcohol can typically only be purchased at a select few bars and hotels, but public consumption is illegal and public drunkenness is a serious crime.
How FIFA would handle putting on an event with an official beer sponsor - Budweiser, was one of the major questions facing the organisation when it awarded the World Cup to Qatar back in 2010.
FIFA had reportedly been lobbying to allow in-stadium drinking, much like it did with Brazil but was apparently unsuccessful.
However, fans at November's World Cup will also be able to buy beer during restricted times in certain parts of the main FIFA fan zone in the Al Bidda park in Doha, the Qatari capital.
"Unlike previous World Cup fan zones, beer won't be served all day long, but at restricted times," the Reuters source added.
The 2nd June document also shows that alcohol will also be available for 15,000 to 20,000 fans on a disused corner of the Doha Golf Club, some kilometres away from stadiums and the main fan zone. A sandy plot surrounded by a three metre wall and located between the delivery entrance of a hotel and a district cooling plant will be transformed into a 10,000-capacity venue promising Techno music and alcohol.
A spokesperson for the organisers, Qatar's Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, said that together with FIFA they will announce plans on the availability of alcohol at the 28-day tournament "in due course".
"Alcohol is already available in designated areas in Qatar, such as hotels and bars, and this will not change in 2022. With the aim of catering to visiting fans in 2022, alcohol will be available in additional designated areas during the tournament," the spokesperson said.
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