2022 FIFA World Cup: Qatar Bans Alcohol Sales at Stadiums and Here's Why

FIFA has always been protective of its commercial interests, especially with major sponsors like Budweiser. However, Qatar, the host nation of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, has decided to ban the sale and consumption of alcohol in stadiums.

Qatar is a conservative Arab Gulf country and the sale and consumption of booze are heavily restricted in the nation. This marks the first time that alcohol will be banned in a World Cup stadium since Budweiser first sponsored the world's most prestigious soccer tournament a year before the 1986 Cup in Mexico.

According to Time Magazine, "drinking has been as reliable a part of the quadrennial festivities as the sport itself." The alcohol ban came just a few days before the games kick off with the opening ceremony on November 20.

This was a surprise move as Qatar initially agreed to relax its rules regarding alcohol and its sale in all eight stadiums where World Cup matches will be played.

Anonymous sources told the New York Times that this sudden move came from the Qatari royal family itself. Specifically, the order came from Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the brother of Qatar's ruling emir, who reportedly had concerns that the "excessive visibility of alcohol" would upset the country's conservative Muslim population, and create security problems.

Qatar's FIFA World Cup Alcohol Ban a Big Blow to Budweiser

The order to ban alcohol during the 2022 FIFA World Cup was so abrupt that this caught one of its biggest sponsors by surprise. Budweiser, an American beer company, has exclusive rights to sell beer during the soccer tournament.

However, the company was suddenly ordered to move all of its beer stalls across eight World Cup stadiums to more discreet locations. They only had a few days to make the move. Budweiser responded to the sudden ban with a tweet that said, "Well, this is awkward." However, that tweet has since been deleted.

FIFA then tweeted an apology of sorts to Budweiser, saying, "The tournament organizers appreciate [Budweiser parent company] AB InBev's understanding and continued support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022."

Alcohol Still Being Sold in Qatar, But Not in 2022 FIFA World Cup Stadiums

If you are planning to go to Qatar and cheer for your country's national team, do not fret, because alcohol would still be available in some areas, just not in FIFA World Cup stadiums.

According to the Associated Press, FIFA announced Friday that non-alcoholic beer will still be sold at the eight stadiums. However, champagne, wine, whiskey, and other alcohol will be served in the luxury hospitality areas of these arenas.

The AP reported that a vast majority of ticket holders do not have access to these exclusive areas. However, it should still be noted that fans can still be able to consume alcoholic beer in the evenings in what is known as the FIFA Fan Festival. It is a designated party area that also offers live music and activities.

Qatar is known for its strict laws regarding the consumption and distribution of alcoholic beverages. However, the country allowed hotel bars to sell them.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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