FIFA has announced that fans will not be able to buy alcohol around stadiums. Budweiser, which had been the only alcoholic beverage offered to spectators at stadium locations as a result of its sponsorship of FIFA, will no longer be accessible. Just two days before the first match begins, FIFA made the decision that no one attending matches will be permitted to consume alcohol inside the stadium’s perimeter.
“Following discussions between FIFA and host country officials, it has been decided to restrict alcohol sales to the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations, and licensed establishments. Beer sales will no longer be permitted inside the FIFA World Cup stadiums in Qatar in 2022,” FIFA announced about alcohol at the World Cup. “No changes have been made to the availability of Bud Zero, which will continue to be sold at all of Qatar’s World Cup venues. Authorities from the host nation and FIFA will keep making sure that all spectators have a good time, are treated with respect, and enjoy themselves while visiting the stadiums and their surroundings. The FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 organizers are grateful for AB InBev’s [drinks and brewing business Anheuser-Busch InBev] understanding and ongoing support of our shared goal to provide for everyone.”
Budweiser will be sold around stadium perimeters from three hours prior to kickoff to one hour following the final whistle, according to previous statements by World Cup organizers. It is thought that Qatar is worried about how alcohol sales may affect spectators — not just other Middle Easterners and Asians in general, but also individuals from other areas of the world — for whom drinking is not part of their culture. In authorized fan zones, fans can still drink alcohol; a pint of Budweiser will cost £12 there. However, the event calls into question how much control FIFA actually has over the competition.
For more football news, click here
