At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, which will be held in the Arab region for the first time ever, the possibility of a change in beer sales policy has increased.
The British newspaper Guardian reported on the 18th (local time) that “beer sales at all eight World Cup stadiums may be banned.”
Originally, for this tournament, it was decided to sell beer in a designated area near the stadium before and after the game.
Qatar, an Islamic country, is a country where alcohol sales and drinking are prohibited, but during the World Cup, a ‘global festival’, game ticket holders are allowed to sell beer in designated areas outside the stadium.
In addition, alcohol will be sold during the evening hours in the ‘Fan Zone’ in downtown Doha, the capital of Qatar.
The organizing committee of the tournament also announced plans to set up a separate sobering area for those who drink too much.
However, just three days before the opening of the tournament, Qatar, the host country, continues to express opinions to FIFA that beer sales around the stadium should be banned.
Beer company Budweiser, one of FIFA’s sponsors, was already notified last week to change its beer sales area around the stadium to a less conspicuous location.
The Guardian predicted that “the Qatar side wants to go further and ban the sale of beer altogether” and “a final decision will come out on the 18th.”
The ban on beer sales around the stadium means that drinking will only be allowed in downtown Doha’s ‘fan zone’ and some hotels that serve alcohol to foreigners.
In the fan area, 500 ml of beer is sold for 50 riyals (about 18,000 won).
(Photo = Yonhap News)