Alcohol will still be available to those in hospitality areas and also at the FIFA Fan Festival in central Doha.
Football World Cup organisers have announced that alcoholic drinks will not be offered for sale at stadium sites in Qatar, just two days before the event starts.
The decision on Friday was a reversal of the original plan for major tournament sponsor Budweiser to sell beer around the eight sites, within the ticketing perimeter, for three hours before and one hour after each game.
QATAR WILL NOT ALLOW SALE OF BEER IN STADIUMS DURING FIFA
Alcohol including champagne and whisky will still be available to those in hospitality areas, and beer will be on tap at the FIFA Fan Festival in central Doha. Licensed bars will also sell alcohol, while permanent residents with a special permit can purchase it from designated liquor stores in the country.
The World Cup, the first to be held in the Middle East, kicks off on Sunday, with Qatar facing Ecuador.
In a statement, a spokesperson for world football’s governing body FIFA said the decision was taken following discussions with Qatari authorities.
The news of the announcement began filtering in at Souq Waqif, a popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
“We were sitting here having a meal [when] our phones were suddenly flooded [with] messages saying alcohol won’t be allowed,” Steve Da Cruz, a fan from Mexico, told Al Jazeera. “It’s very disappointing because beer and football go hand-in-hand for us. I know it’s the local culture and we respect all cultures, but a big number of fans coming here can’t imagine going to a football match where they won’t be able to have a beer.”
But Abdullah, a resident of Qatar from Egypt, said he was “happy” to hear the news.
“It’s not like alcohol is not sold in Qatar,” he told Al Jazeera. “People have to respect Muslim culture and get on with the tournament. I’ll feel much better about taking my family to the stadium now,” said Abdullah, who is supporting Brazil in the tournament.
