Qatar’s alcohol-related relationship and laws have come under heavy spotlight ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Saturday afternoons at football without a plastic beer are unthinkable for a select – well, large – group of fans, but the culture and behavior of mainstream boys needs to be changed and curtailed for fans traveling to the Middle East.
Here’s what fans need to know about serving beer in Qatar.
The following advice is taken from Gov.uk’s travel advice for visitors to Qatar:
“It is a criminal offense to drink alcohol or be intoxicated in public. British nationals have been detained under this law, usually when they are reported to the police over a related matter, such as a crime. B. disorderly or abusive conduct, in a public place may result in a prison sentence of up to 6 months and/or a fine of up to QAR 3,000.Alcohol is only available in licensed hotel restaurants and bars, and expatriates, those residing in Qatar can obtain alcohol with a permit system. Do not carry alcohol around (except to bring it to your home on the day of pickup from the warehouse). The legal drinking age in Qatar is 21 and establishments serving alcohol require original photo identification upon entry.”
Can you drink alcohol in Qatar?
Yes, you can drink alcohol in Qatar. The country’s legal drinking age is 21. However, the country’s relationship with beer, bourbon and the rest is extremely strict.
People are not allowed to drink alcohol or be drunk in public. The rules for the World Cup are likely to be slightly relaxed, as a competition insider recently revealed The Telegraph report that drunk fans are unlikely to be thrown in Qatari jails for minor infractions.
However, if fans take part in flares and fireworks or get into fights, they risk fines and the suspension of their ‘Hayya card’, which allows visitors to enter Qatar and enter the stadium.
In normal times, alcohol is only available in a few specially licensed venues such as hotels, bars and restaurants. Its importation is prohibited and carries a potential death penalty for all offenders.
Will there be alcohol in the stadiums?
There will be alcohol in the stadiums at the World Cup in Qatar. Beer will be sold three hours before kick-off and one hour after kick-off and will be available to fans, but not during the actual game.
The FIFA Fan Festival takes place at Al Bidda Park in central Doha. More information is yet to be announced, but it is expected that fans will have to wait until 18:30 local time to drink alcohol in the fan zone. Official partners Budweiser and Coca-Cola will provide their products.
This fan zone will be an alcohol-tolerant area, but fans are advised not to consume such beverages in other non-designated areas.
Alcohol Prices in Qatar
We all like to moan about the price of beer when we go out – if you’ve picked up £25 for three pints in London, you know the feeling.
Unfortunately, the World Cup won’t be like your local little venue around the corner that sells Tuborg cans for a pound. Instead, fans have to shell out nearly a tenner for a pint.
The average price in Qatar is £9.94 for a pint, more than double what you would expect in the UK. Their three lions, who support Trevors, Kevins and Big Alans, are all likely to fly to Burundi afterwards, where a drink can cost as little as 59p.
At least that’s how the next holiday is sorted.
