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The organizers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup have agreed to the world governing body’s policy to serve beer with alcohol to soccer fans at stadiums and fan zones in the Muslim-majority country. FIFA said on Saturday that fans will be allowed to buy Budweiser beer with alcohol within the eight stadium compounds. 

The consumption of alcohol will be allowed before and after games, and during evenings only at the official “Fan Festival” which is being held in downtown Doha Park. However, this will be not allowed concourse concession stands. The announcement comes 11 weeks before the first game and brings relief for the fans who will be travelling all the way from Europe to the Middle East to cheer for their teams. 

FIFA said Saturday that Budweiser with alcohol will be sold “within the stadium perimeter prior to kickoff and after the final whistle. Inside the stadium bowl ticket holders will have access to non-alcoholic Budweiser Zero,” football’s world body said. “At the FIFA Fan Festival, Budweiser will be available to purchase from 6.30 p.m."

Notably, Budweiser has been the exclusive World Cup beer brand since 1986 and parent company AB InBev renewed its deal through 2022 with FIFA in a 2011 signing after Qatar was confirmed as host. However, Qatar’s organizing committee and AB InBev declined to comment on the issue.

Consumption of alcohol in public is prohibited in the Middle East country. Alcohol is more available in Qatar than in some Middle East states though it is served only in hotel restaurants and bars that have licenses. Also, Qatar is not the first host country to ease its policies on alcohol consumption while hosting the football world cup. 

Before the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, pressure from FIFA led local lawmakers to pass a special bill exempting the tournament from a ban on selling alcohol at stadiums.