Alcohol will not be sold to fans at the World Cup’s eight stadiums in Qatar after Fifa changed its policy two days before the start of the tournament. Alcohol was set to be served “in select areas within stadiums”, despite its sale being strictly controlled in the Muslim country. Those in corporate areas of stadiums at the tournament will still be able to purchase alcohol.
The World Cup starts on Sunday when Qatar plays Ecuador. Budweiser, a major sponsor of FIFA, is owned by beer maker AB InBev and had exclusive rights to sell beer at the World Cup. “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 sales points of beer from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters,” said a statement from world football’s governing body. “There is no impact on the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all of Qatar’s World Cup stadiums.
“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. The tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.” Budweiser posted a message on Twitter on Friday saying, “Well, this is awkward” before the post was later deleted. An AB InBev spokesperson said that they could not proceed with “some of the planned stadium activations” because of “circumstances beyond our control”.
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) criticised the timing of the decision to ban the sale of beer for most fans. “Some fans like a beer at a game and some don’t, but the real issue is the last minute U-turn which speaks to a wider problem – the total lack of communication and clarity from the organising committee towards supporters,” said an FSA spokesperson. “If they can change their minds on this at a moment’s notice, with no explanation, supporters will have understandable concerns about whether they will fulfil other promises relating to accommodation, transport or cultural issues.”
England fan Ryan, an Arsenal supporter who is in Qatar for the World Cup, echoed concerns over the late change. He told BBC Sport: “It’s not ideal but as far as I understand there’ll be other places to drink. Football is football and part of the culture is having a drink with your mates, but there’s no point crying about it.
“They had 12 years to organise it and I don’t think it bodes well to have so many last-minute changes. As fans we have to get on with it.” In August, FIFA changed the start date of the World Cup so that the first game of the competition would be Qatar facing Ecuador. The game was scheduled to be played on 21 November as the third game, with Senegal against the Netherlands set to be the opening match earlier that day.
Analysis
The last-minute alcohol ban is emblematic of the contradictions at the heart of this World Cup. As a small very rich Muslim nation in the middle east with a strict way of living and big ambitions to be serious broker in the sporting world, Qatar has a lot to prove. For Qatari citizens, this alcohol sale ban will be seen as the leadership staying true to the Muslim rules that the vast majority here abide by. But there are also questions about why FIFA was unable to demand that Qatar stick to the plan, and about consistency. For the 2014 World Cup, FIFA made Brazil change its laws on the sale of alcohol at matches. Drinking is not the main reason fans have travelled here, but it is part of football culture for many. It’s also symbolic of the fine line Qatar is walking: presenting itself on one of the world’s biggest of stages as an outward-facing, welcoming country while maintaining its cultural, religious and conservative integrity.
