Is Qatar World Cup the first FIFA World Cup to ban beer?1

Qatar made the headlines recently as it became the first nation to impose a ban on alcohol consumption during the FIFA World Cup.

The prestigious tournament was sponsored by the renowned beer brand Budweiser. The company had to withdraw its sponsorship from the tournament after the country banned the sale of alcohol just two days prior to the competition.

After rounds of negotiations between Qatar and FIFA officials, it was decided that Budweiser would no longer be selling beer inside the stadiums. The sale of alcohol in a Muslim country was always a talking point. Qatar has banned public drinking as well.

Although fans can not drink inside the stadiums, they would still have access to alcohol in outside match venues, fan zones, and hotels. The sale of alcohol has still been severely controlled by the state.

Alcohol has also been banned in a few stadiums in England and Spain as well. Drinking and smoking were banned inside sporting stadiums a few years ago after the Basque Country of Parliament passed this law. Although, this is the first time it is being imposed at the FIFA World Cup.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has been in support of the country’s policies and respects the cultural lines drawn by the country.  

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