Beer sales banned around Qatar World Cup stadiums: FIFA

The Qatar 2022 World Cup organisers on Friday banned beer sales in and around the eight World Cup stadiums in a policy U-turn just two days before the start of the tournament.

Football's world governing body FIFA said the decision was taken following discussions with Qatari officials, a Muslim country with restrictions on alcohol sales.

The decision could affect FIFA's deal with major sponsor beer-maker AB InBev.

A FIFA statement said only that alcohol would be focused on fan zones, "removing sales points of beer from Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters."

Statement on beer sales at #WorldCup stadiums 🏟️ on behalf of FIFA and Host Country 🇶🇦: pic.twitter.com/o4IEhboXks

— FIFA Media (@fifamedia) November 18, 2022

Dozens of beer tents had already been set up at stadiums ahead of the first game Sunday between Qatar and Ecuador.

Qatar has spent billions of dollars preparing for the World Cup and has predicted that more than one million fans will visit the country for the 29-day tournament.

FIFA earns tens of millions of dollars each year from its sponsorship contract with AB InBev, the maker of Budweiser, the only beer available at official venues.

"The tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev's understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022," added the FIFA statement.

Neither the organising committee nor the Qatar government made any immediate comment.

Beer will remain available in VIP suites in stadiums, sold by the world body, at the main FIFA fan zone in Doha, some private fan zones and in about 35 hotel and restaurant bars.