A source close to the procedures for organizing the World Cup in Qatar said that the emirate will not allow the sale of alcoholic beverages in the World Cup stadiums, which Doha will host next November.
The source confirmed that the sale of these drinks will be available outside the stadiums and before and after the matches.
“In the stadiums, plans are still being finalised. But the current discussion is about allowing fans to drink beer on arrival and when leaving the stadium, but the beer will not be sold during matches, inside stadiums or on the stands,” the source told Archyde.com.
This will be the first time that the tournament will be held in a country where the majority of the population are Muslims, especially a Gulf country that follows the laws of Islamic Sharia.
The World Cup matches have long been associated with the consumption of large quantities of alcohol by visiting fans, to the extent that Brazil was forced to lift a ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages inside football stadiums after pressure from the International Football Association (FIFA) before the 2014 World Cup.
Certain times of the day will also be set for the sale of alcoholic beverages in the main fan zone in Al Bidda Park in Doha.
“Unlike fan zones in previous World Cups, beer will not be served all day, but at limited times,” the source added.
Visitors will be prohibited from bringing alcoholic beverages from abroad into Qatar, even those sold in airport duty-free shops, and they cannot shop at the country’s only liquor store on the outskirts of Doha.