QATAR BANS BUDWEISER FROM SELLING BEER AT THE WORLD CUP

Million-dollar contract at stake for Budweiser. The sale of beer in the vicinity of stadiums at the World Cup in Qatar was expressly prohibited after FIFA agreed to the host country’s demand, allowing no beer to be sold in the vicinity of the stadiums. At stake, a million-dollar contract, the Budweiser beer brand paid $75 million to FIFA to be one of the main sponsors.

“Following discussions between the host country authorities and FIFA, a decision was taken to concentrate the sale of alcoholic beverages at the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan meeting points and licensed venues, eliminating beer outlets from stadium perimeters,” FIFA confirmed in a statement.

“The host country authorities and FIFA will continue to ensure that the stadiums and surrounding areas provide a pleasant, respectful and enjoyable experience for all fans,” added FIFA, which confirmed that the sale of non-alcoholic beer “will remain available in all stadiums.”

This news has to do with the commercial agreement that FIFA has had for years with the Budweiser beer brand. The Belgian multinational AB InBev, which owns this brand, is undergoing a radical change due to changes in the Argentine government.

The beer brand has already been asked to move the stalls selling its product in the stadiums to less visible locations. Budweiser made a post on its official Twitter account. “Well, this is awkward,” posted the main sponsor of the event and added in another tweet that the beers will go to the team that is crowned and lifts the trophy in Qatar.

It will only allow the sale of alcohol in ‘fan zones’ and licensed locations, such as certain hotels. Qatar is a country where alcohol consumption is very restricted and it is hardly possible to drink in some hotels in Doha. During the World Cup, these regulations have been relaxed, but alcohol still cannot be purchased in supermarkets, in addition to high prices, with a liter of beer costing more than US$15.