Qatar officials ban beer from World Cup stadiums two days before tournament begins
DOHA, Qatar – The taps at the FIFA World Cup have run dry.
Alcoholic beer will no longer be sold at the World Cup stadiums in Qatar, according to a statement from FIFA on Friday. The change is a stunning about-face, given that Budweiser is one of the international governing body’s longest and biggest sponsors and the start of the tournament is just two days away.
“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.
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Though alcohol isn’t illegal in Qatar, drinking in public is not allowed and it is a crime to be drunk in public. But Qatar assured FIFA officials when it was bidding for the World Cup that it would not impose local customs on the tournament and promised to respect FIFA’s deals with sponsors.
So much for that.
The original compromise was that alcoholic beer would be sold only within the stadium perimeter before and after games and not within the stadium itself – similar to how fans can tailgate outside some college stadiums but not purchase beer once they go inside.
Some fans were not surprised by the reversal. Rob Bartzcak from Denver said he bought tickets to see the U.S. men’s national team play, among five other games, thinking there wouldn’t be alcohol.
“Now it’s back to baseline,” Bartzack said. “I’m here for the culture, I’m here for the world’s sport, everyone coming together.”
Beer is also supposed to be available at the Fan Festival along the waterfront, but only after 7 p.m.
There were rumblings earlier in the week that Qatari officials were upset with the prominent presence of alcoholic beverages and, according to The Associated Press, had ordered Budweiser stands to be moved to less visible places at the stadiums.
“There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all Qatar’s World Cup stadiums,” FIFA said. “The tournament organizers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup.”
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“As partners of FIFA for over three decades, we look forward to our activations of FIFA World Cup campaigns around the world to celebrate football with our consumers,” a spokesperson for AB InBev said. “Some of the planned stadium activations cannot move forward due to circumstances beyond our control.”
abuse of migrant workers and its anti-LGBTQ laws. Banning beer, especially after fans spent thousands of dollars to come here with the expectation they would be able to drink before and after games, is sure to cause further outrage.
“It makes me think, ‘What else are they going to change?’” said Brett Tirrell, who traveled from Boston to Qatar to watch the U.S. play. “It’s not cool. They’re changing the rules.”