Qatar to allow beer sales at World Cup games 3 hours before kickoff - source

Story by Reuters

Updated 1507 GMT (2307 HKT) September 3, 2022

Qatar will permit ticketed fans to buy alcoholic beer at World Cup soccer matches.

(Reuters)Qatar will permit ticketed fans to buy alcoholic beer at World Cup soccer matches starting three hours before kickoff and for one hour after the final whistle, but not during the match, a source with knowledge of plans for the tournament said.

Budweiser, a major World Cup sponsor with exclusive rights to sell beer at the tournament, will serve beer within the ticketed perimeter surrounding each stadium, but not in the stadium stands or concourse, the source said.This year's World Cup is the first to be held in a Muslim country with strict controls on alcohol, presenting unique challenges for organizers of an event sponsored by a major beer brand and often associated with beer-drinking fans.FIFA confirms change to start date of 2022 Qatar World Cup «Beer will be available when gates open, which is three hours before kick off. Whoever wants to have a beer will be able to. And then when they leave the stadium as well for one hour after the final whistle,» the source said.Additionally, Budweiser will be permitted to serve beer in part of the main FIFA fan zone in central Doha from 6:30pm to 1:00am every day of the 29-day tournament, which kicks off on November 20, the source said.Read MoreAt previous World Cup tournaments, beer was served in fan zones all day long.The decision about where and when beer will be sold to fans is now finalized, but the price fans will be charged for a beer is still under discussion, the source said.«We are working closely with FIFA, which is managing the relationship with the Qatari authorities, to ensure our activations for the tournament are