Where, when, and who may purchase and consume alcohol at the Qatar World Cup 2022?

Where, when, and who may purchase and consume alcohol at the Qatar World Cup 2022?

When it comes to soccer fans consuming alcohol, the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar will be considerably different from past editions.

As an Islamic country, the sale, service, and use of alcohol in Qatar are strictly controlled.

According to the UK Government, it is an "offense to drink alcohol or be drunk in public" in Qatar, and drinking in a public place could "result in a prison sentence of up to six months" and a fine of up to $825.

It is also unlawful to bring alcohol into the nation.

 

Fans can purchase alcohol from licensed hotel restaurants and bars, but only if they are above the age of 21, as well as during the Arcadia Festival.

The Arcadia Festival is a fan zone about two miles outside of Doha that will offer alcohol between 10 a.m. and 5 a.m. every day.

Fans were originally expected to be allowed to buy alcohol from designated areas in and around stadiums before and after matches during the World Cup, which runs from November 20 to December 18.

 

However, only two days before the tournament began, organizers declared a blanket ban on the sale of alcohol near stadium grounds, at the request of Qatar's Al Thani royal family.

According to BBC Sport, Qatar's World Cup CEO, Nasser Al Khater, stated in September that "although alcohol will be available to those who want a drink in designated places, it will not be publicly available on the streets."

 

"All we ask is that folks stay to these specified places when they visit."

 

 

Al Khater also told Sky News in October that there will be sober zones at the event for inebriated fans.

 

"If someone has been drinking excessively, there are plans in place to help them sober up," he added. "It's a location where people can make sure they're safe and not causing harm to anyone else."

Purchasing and consuming alcohol will not be the only differences for Qatari soccer fans.

 

The UK Government advises fans to "dress modestly while in public," while "ladies must cover their shoulders and avoid wearing short skirts." Shorts and sleeveless shirts are not permitted for both men and women.

 

 

Swearing and making disrespectful gestures in public are also deemed obscene conduct, and violators may face imprisonment or deportation.

 

According to the UK Government, public infatuation between men and women may result in detention, whilst homosexuality is outlawed and punishable by death.

 

Tournament organizers, on the other hand, have stated that "everyone is welcome" and that there would be no limitations on LGBTQ+ persons sleeping in the same room together.

Last month, Al Khater told Sky News that LGBT fans will be permitted to touch hands without fear of being penalized.

 

"All we ask is that people respect the culture," he stated. "At the end of the day, as long as you don't do anything that damages other people, as long as you don't ruin public property, as long as you don't behave in a detrimental way, then everyone is welcome and you have nothing to worry about."