QATAR: FIFA World Cup 2022: Beer sales banned at all game venues at stadiums

The sale of all alcohol at the eight stadiums used for soccer's World Cup tournament in Qatar has been banned, the sport's international governing body FIFA said on Friday, just two days before the games begin. The organization said in a statement that the decision to ban alcohol sales came "following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA." 

The last-minute change in plans will see alcoholic drinks banned from the "FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters."

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Each World Cup, the parent corporation of Budweiser, AB InBev, spends tens of millions of dollars to purchase the sole licence to sell beer. The 1986 competition marked the beginning of the company's association with FIFA.

Well, this is embarrassing, read a post that briefly appeared on Budweiser's official Twitter account after the ban's announcement emerged on Friday. The post was quickly taken down.

When Qatar, a conservative Muslim country where alcohol and homosexuality are both generally prohibited, first announced its intention to host the World Cup, the nation pledged to respect FIFA's business partners. This commitment was reiterated when contracts were signed after Qatar won the vote in 2010.

Brazil's 2014 World Cup host nation was compelled to amend its law to permit the selling of alcohol in stadiums.

After Qatar was controversially chosen as the host in 2011, AB InBev's contract with FIFA was extended for another two tournaments through 2022. The specifics of where the Belgian brewery can serve and sell beer in Qatar, however, have been unclear in recent months.

Beer with alcohol will be served inside the stadium's perimeter before and after games, according to a September deal. Only alcohol-free Bud Zero would be offered for sale in the stadium concourses so that spectators may take branded cups to their seats and drink.

Last weekend, Qatari organisers implemented a new rule that required moving alcohol booths to less noticeable spots inside the boundary. This caught AB InBev off guard.

Additionally, Budweiser was only going to be available in the nights at the official FIFA fan zone at Al Bidda Park in the city's centre, where up to 40,000 people may congregate to watch games on enormous screens. It was confirmed that a beer would cost $14.

An inquiry for comment was not immediately answered by Ab InBev. The business will have a base in a posh hotel in Doha's West Bay neighbourhood, complete with a branded nightclub.