The International Football Association (FIFA) and the Qatari organizers are still working on plans to serve fans who want to drink alcoholic beer during matches,
While alcoholic beer is expected to be sold in Qatar’s World Cup stadiums, fans may only be allowed non-alcoholic drinks in their seats.
Hospitality packages that include “premium drinks” have been served in stadiums since February 2021, but a policy for most fans at the eight stadiums, as well as Budweiser, long-time World Cup sponsor, has yet to be finalized, and might be less than five months away. championship.
The most likely option is to serve alcoholic beer in stadiums before and following matches, and allow fans to drink non-alcoholic beer only in their seats.
“Things will be clarified and officially announced in due course,” FIFA said in a statement on Friday.
The 2022 World Cup is the first in the 92-year history of the tournament to be held in a Muslim country.
Since FIFA chose Qatar as the host country in 2010, questions have been raised regarding how Qatar is responding to the demands of fans wanting alcohol.
The Qatari organizers initially resisted serving any kind of alcohol in stadiums, but promised to “devise a plan that would satisfy everyone”.
Organizers are expecting around 1.2 million visitors for the 32-team tournament.
