Qatar bans in-stadium beer sale at FIFA World Cup 2022

Qatar has announced a ban on sale alcoholic beverages inside stadiums just days before the start of the FIFA World Cup 2022.

Budweiser, the American beer company that has had an long-term arrangement with FIFA since 1986 and was formerly the only brand authorised to sell beer in Qatar, could make a case of violation of its lucrative US$75m sponsorship deal, suggesting that the football governing body may no longer have complete authority over its marquee event.

Budweiser tweeted, “Well, this is awkward…”, after the ban was announced, before deleting it. 

The World Cup organisers in Qatar reportedly finalised a policy in September 2022 to offer alcoholic beverages to football supporters at stadiums and fan zones in the Arab nation throughout the course of the tournament. This policy has now been rendered void due to the prohibition.