On Friday, Qatar banned the sale of beer in World Cup stadiums, reversing a deal it made to secure the tournament just two days before the first game. The move was the latest indication of the strained relations associated with hosting the event, which is not only a sporting event but also a month-long party, in the conservative Muslim emirate where the sale of alcohol is strictly prohibited.
It’s also a significant setback for World Cup beer sponsor Budweiser, and it raises questions about FIFA‘s control over the tournament. However, Beer will be served in the evenings during the FIFA Fan Festival.
Qatar’s belated decision to ban beer sales in stadiums is seen as a major U-turn, as the country agreed to FIFA’s requirements of selling alcohol in stadiums when bidding to host the World Cup. However, the specifics were not revealed until September, just 11 weeks before the first game.
According to a FIFA statement issued on Friday, non-alcoholic beer will continue to be sold at the eight stadiums, while champagne, wine, whiskey, and other alcoholic beverages will be served in the arenas’ luxury hospitality areas.
The vast majority of ticket holders will not have access to those areas, though they will be able to drink alcoholic beer in the evenings at the FIFA Fan Festival, a designated party area with live music and activities. Outside of tournament zones, Qatar places strict restrictions on the purchase and consumption of alcohol, though hotel bars have been selling it for years.
“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… stadium perimeters,” FIFA said in a statement.
Budweiser’s Twitter account tweeted: “Well, this is awkward…” without elaborating. The tweet was later deleted.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the beer ban in the FIFA World Cup
Absolutely love how Qatar is holding on to its values without giving two hoots about what the goras will think. No skin, no beer no queer, take it or leave it.
— Tee (@_TeeKhan_) November 18, 2022
There are much more significant problems surrounding FIFA's decision to award/sell the World Cup to Qatar.
But Qatar's decision to ban beer at stadiums just 48 hours before kickoff—despite FIFA's $100 million sponsorship deal with Budweiser—feels like a bit of poetic justice.
— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) November 18, 2022
Fifa realised they made a massive mistake selling the World Cup to Qatar. Less than 48 hours before the first match, Qatar announces that beer will not be sold inside the stadiums. That is a $100 million deal that Fifa is now breaching with Budweiser. Enjoy it Fifa ???
— Ngamla Gouws ?? (@RenaldoGouws) November 18, 2022
qatar officially banned beer at world cup stadiums
how did they not realize people will ban qatar from ever hosting the world cup again after this
— gainzy (@gainzy222) November 18, 2022
Qatar bans beer at World Cup stadiums. This means England’s hooligans may finally watch a football match ?
— Khaled Beydoun (@KhaledBeydoun) November 18, 2022
Imagine wasting 10000 dollars on a trip to a world cup game to not get to enjoy a cold beer with the game. Qatar is a wack ass country https://t.co/S0J5s8bnXz
— Itsyaboi (@beer_drinker777) November 18, 2022
? Beer is out at the World Cup.
After all that (alcoholic) beer will now not be sold inside the perimeter at all eight of Qatar’s World Cup stadiums.
Big about-face means FIFA now faces contractual nightmare with Budweiser.
— tariq panja (@tariqpanja) November 18, 2022
Qatar banned alcoholic beverages from stadiums and FIFA played along.
Before 2014 Brazil had a law against beer in stadiums due to excessive violence, FIFA made them reverse it, saying this was something they wouldn’t negotiate.
The extent of hypocrisy.
— George Tavkhelidze ?? (@tavkhellidze) November 18, 2022
Don't get the beer outrage at all. Qatar is an Islamic country, alcohol is prohibited, seems fine. Having a beer is not a human right
— Barney Ronay (@barneyronay) November 18, 2022
Budweiser a FIFA sponsor for over 30 years which pays the organization more than $100M per World Cup cycle won’t be allowed to serve you beer in or around the stadiums here in Qatar.
They’ve just learned of this ..
48 hours before opening kick of the tournament. ?
— herculez gomez (@herculezg) November 18, 2022
