'Where's the party?' Some football fans disappointed by World Cup stadium booze ban in Qatar

DOHA: Disbelief, dismay and disappointment.

Mexican fans Luis Riquelme and Alejandro Ortiz were crestfallen when this reporter broke the news to them on Friday (Nov 18) afternoon that no alcoholic beer will be sold to fans around any of the eight World Cup stadiums.

"It's not like you want to be drunk or something ... It's part of the (football culture)," said Mr Riquelme, who had arrived in Doha on Friday (Nov 18).

"It's like when I watch the Champions League in my house in the middle of the week ... I've got to get a beer. If you go to a stadium, there is no way you don't drink a beer."

Football's governing body FIFA on Friday announced that no alcoholic beer will be sold to fans around any of the eight World Cup stadiums following "discussions" with hosts Qatar.

A FIFA statement said a decision was made to remove "sales points of beer from Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters".

Alcohol will still be sold at the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations and licensed venues. It will also be available in VIP suites in stadiums and in some hotel and restaurant bars.

The alcohol-free Bud Zero beer will remain available at all stadiums.

"Host country authorities and FIFA will continue to ensure that the stadiums and surrounding areas provide an enjoyable, respectful and pleasant experience for all fans," said FIFA.

However, fans CNA spoke to pointed out that being able to consume beer adds to the party atmosphere of a World Cup.

"This is a huge parade, a worldwide parade. And we don't have beer? Where's the party?" added Mr Ortiz. 

"(We thought that) this would be something that they would figure out. But the news you just brought to us is the opposite of that!"

While Welsh fans Ian and Vicky Jones said that the news didn't