Alcoholic beverages will not be sold at World Cup stadiums in Qatar, FIFA has announced ahead of the global showpiece’s kick off on Sunday.
FIFA has released a statement seemingly making a U-turn on the availability of the alcoholic beverage in the Muslim country during the soccer fiesta.
Public drinking of alcohol is banned in Qatar and no one is allowed to bring beer into the country.
“Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues, removing sales points of beer from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters,” a statement from FIFA reads.
Reuters reports that Budweiser, a major World Cup sponsor, was supposed to sell beer within ticketed perimeter of the eight World Cup venues. AB InBev owns Budweiser.
“Tournament organizers appreciate AB InBev’s understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup,” FIFA’s statement added.
Despite the ban, reports suggest that alcoholic beverages will be available outside the stadium hospitality zones, according to Reuters sources.
Budweiser will sell its non-alcoholic beer throughout the stadium precincts, the statement said.
AFRICA’S WORLD CUP REPRESENTATIVES
Africa will be represented at the World Cup by Tunisia, Morocco, Cameroon, Senegal and Ghana.
The Black Stars eliminated Bafana Bafana in one but final qualifying round for the World Cup.
The Black Stars went on to edge out the Super Eagles of Nigeria to book their place at the World Cup.
WORLD CUP 1ST WEEK FIXTURES
Sunday, Nov. 20:
Group A: Qatar vs. Ecuador (11 a.m. EST, Al Bayt Stadium)
Monday, Nov. 21:
Group B: England vs. Iran (8 a.m. EST, Khalifa International Stadium)
Group A: Senegal vs. Netherlands (11 a.m. EST, Al Thumama Stadium)
Group B: United States vs. Wales (2 p.m. EST, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium)
Tuesday, Nov. 22:
Group C: Argentina vs. Saudi Arabia (5 a.m. EST, Lusail Stadium)
Group D: Denmark vs. Tunisia (8 a.m. EST, Education City Stadium)
Group C: Mexico vs. Poland (11 a.m. EST, Stadium 974)
Group D: France vs. Australia (2 p.m. EST, Al Janoub Stadium)
Wednesday, Nov. 23:
Group F: Morocco vs. Croatia (5 a.m. EST, Al Bayt Stadium)
Group E: Germany vs. Japan (8 a.m. EST, Khalifa International Stadium)
Group E: Spain vs. Costa Rica (11 a.m. EST, Al Thumama Stadium)
Group F: Belgium vs. Canada (2 p.m. EST, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium)
Thursday, Nov. 24:
Group G: Switzerland vs. Cameroon (5 a.m. EST, Al Janoub Stadium)
Group H: Uruguay vs. South Korea (8 a.m. EST, Education City Stadium)
Group H: Portugal vs. Ghana (11 a.m. EST, Stadium 974)
Group G: Brazil vs. Serbia (2 p.m. EST, Lusail Stadium)
Friday, Nov. 25:
Group B: Wales vs. Iran (5 a.m. EST, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium)
Group A: Qatar vs. Senegal (8 a.m. EST, Al Thumama Stadium)
Group A: Netherlands vs. Ecuador (11 a.m. EST, Khalifa International Stadium)
Group B: England vs. United States (2 p.m. EST, Al Bayt Stadium)
Saturday, Nov. 26:
Group D: Tunisia vs. Australia (5 a.m. EST, Al Janoub Stadium)
Group C: Poland vs. Saudi Arabia (8 a.m. EST, Education City Stadium)
Group D: France vs. Denmark (11 a.m. EST, Stadium 974)
Group C: Argentina vs. Mexico (2 p.m. EST, Lusail Stadium)
Sunday, Nov. 27:
Group E: Japan vs. Costa Rica (5 a.m. EST, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium)
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