The head of Qatar’s Safety and Security Committee announced that fans traveling to the 2022 World Cup will not be allowed to bring alcohol into the country for personal consumption, adding that “particular mechanisms” are in place to take action against anyone trying to smuggle liquor in their luggage.
Although alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited in Qatar, the Supreme Committee in charge of the tournament has agreed to allow Budweiser beer to be sold at stadiums and in fan zones during the World Cup, which starts on Nov. 20. Drinking in public is also punishable by fines of up to 3,000 Riyal (£720) or jail terms of up to six months.
The early phases of Russia 2018 saw heavy alcohol consumption, and several Moscow bars ran out of beer as partygoers from around the globe partied in the Russian capital.
However, despite the fact that drinking is part of football fan culture in many parts of the world, Qatari authorities have stated that alcohol will only be available in certain places and that supporters will not be permitted to bring their own alcohol.
“There are specific measures,” Colonel Jassim Abdulrahim Al Sayed of the Safety and Security Operations Committee told ESPN at a news conference in Doha. “I think alcohol will not allowed through the airport and suitcases.
“There are locations where alcohol will be sold throughout the country.”
The main Fanfest at the tournament will only serve alcohol after 6.30 p.m., despite some games kicking off earlier in the day.
But Qatar 2022 chief executive Nasser Al Khater has urged fans to consume alcohol in the specific areas that have been given permission to serve drinks.
“There is a misconception about alcohol sales in stadiums and designated zones,” Al Khater said. “We are working like any other World Cup, like usual.
“Very simply, we have always stated that the sale of alcohol available in Qatar and will make it available in specific zones.
“The Fanfest will serve from 6.30pm, but it will attract a lot of families and children and we want to give them opportunity to be in alcohol free zone for certain parts of the day. Later, the fans will have alcohol readily available.”
