FIFA Confirms Total Ban On Alcohol In Qatar World Cup Stadiums

UPDATE: FIFA has announced that the sale of alcohol around all World Cup stadiums in Qatar is banned.

"Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing the sales points of beer from Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters."

"There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all Qatar's World Cup stadiums," FIFA noted in a statement on Friday, November 18.

However, host country authorities and FIFA will continue to ensure that the stadiums and surrounding areas provide an enjoyable, respectful and pleasant experience for all fans.

World football governing body, FIFA, has been put under fresh pressure by Qatar, which is hosting the 2022 World Cup, regarding the sale of alcohol within all its stadiums; less than two days before the start of the tournament.

According to the UK publication, Daily Mail, the Qatari royal family are demanding FIFA to completely ban the sale of alcohol in the eight stadiums.

The Middle East country is known for restricting alcohol sales to foreigners drinking in licenced hotels and restaurants, or non-Muslim residents with special permits in their homes.

A Budweiser concession stand for the sale of alcohol during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. /REUTERS.DAILY MAIL

Should their demands be met, it would block Budweiser, one of the tournament's largest sponsors, from selling beer to the millions of fans expected in Qatar for football's biggest tournament. 

It would also throw FIFA into a breach of a multi-million dollar contract with the company even as discussions between the two entities are ongoing. 

The New York Times stated that interventions that would lead to the removal of Budweiser's sales were made by Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the brother of Qatar's ruler.

As things stand, World Cup visitors can buy alcohol in hotels and restaurants, in fan zones at certain times, and on stadium concourses, but not inside stadiums, at a cost of nearly Ksh1,745.99 (£12) per pint (473.176ml).

Fans will be limited to four drinks to stop them from getting drunk. Anyone who does could be taken to a special zone to sober up.

Should the Qataris get their wish, the sale of alcohol on concourses will be banned, leaving fans with one option alcohol can be bought in or around stadiums being hospitality boxes, which start at Ksh2,740,022 (US$22,450) per match. 

Those lucky enough to get a seat in a box are promised 'soft drinks, beers, Champagne, sommelier-selected wines, and premium spirits'.

Nasser Al Khater who is the chief executive of the 2022 World Cup, had clarified that special areas will be created for drunken supporters to sober up contrary to what had been announced earlier that there will be specific drinking shop outlets and that the alcohol would be regulated.

Despite common misconceptions, it is legal to consume alcohol if you are over the age of 21 in Qatar.