Major World Cup sponsor Budweiser has exclusive rights to sell beer at the finals and will serve its products at the 40 000 capacity FIFA Fan Fest in central Doha’s Al Bidda Park.
The World Cup, which kicks off in Qatar on Sunday, is the first to be held in a Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol. While not a “dry” state like neighbouring Saudi Arabia, consuming alcohol in public places is illegal in Qatar. Tournament organisers, who started negotiating the alcohol price with world soccer’s governing body FIFA in at least 2019, had said they wanted to make alcohol “accessible” to fans and that Qatar would consider offering alcohol at lower prices.
A spokesperson confirmed media reports that some of the zones where alcohol will be served outside stadiums have recently been moved within the perimeter areas.