World Cup 2022: Can fans drink alchohol in Qatar? Is beer allowed?

Many fans of countries all over the world will be travelling to Qatar for the 2022 World Cup, starting this November. 

It is the first-ever edition of the tournament in the far east, and the competition has moved to a winter due to the hot climate of the country during the summer months.

Fans of western nations will need to be told and reminded to respect the rules of the Islamic nation, but with some relaxation for the competition, what are the actual rules for drinking alcohol at the tournament?

Can you drink in Qatar for the 2022 World Cup? Is beer allowed?

Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t illegal to drink alcohol in Qatar However, it is illegal to be drunk in public or even to drink in the public eye.

The official guidance for visitors of the country states:

You can, however, purchase booze from licensed hotels, restaurants and bars in the country if you are over the age of 21 and there is also an off-licence, but fans will need a permit to drink from this.

If you attempt to smuggle alcohol into the country or outside designated zones, you risk being deported or fined.

Alcohol will not be served in any stadiums at the World Cup, but beer may be sold outside of the venues before and after the matches.

Fans will also be able to access a drink in a 40,000-capacity fan zone in Doha.

CEO of the World Cup, Nasser al-Khater, said this on the alcohol controversy: