Taking in Qatar 2022's atmosphere: How it feels to be dry at a World Cup

Posted by Xchange Tickets on December 1st, 2022

Many soccer fans throughout the world enjoy the habit of drinking alcohol before, during, and after games. However, alcohol is not being as easily accessible in Qatar in 2022.

Due to FIFA's confirmation of an alcohol ban at the eight stadiums hosting the 2022 World Cup two days before the tournament's start, this is the case.

While some fans applauded the decision, others, like English student Arnov Paul-Choudhury, 21, who is 21 years old, were left perplexed and frustrated.

“It’s the World Cup, its football, you need to be able to drink around the stadium,” Paul-Choudhury told CNN Sport in Doha on the day of the announcement. “I just don’t think they’re doing the right things to attract fans.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino disagreed, saying fans would “survive” not being able to drink “for three hours a day” and, on the whole, he’s been proven right.

After the World Cup began, CNN spoke to several fans about the alcohol ban, and they didn't seem to be too bothered by it or the lack of it in the stadiums.

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“I’d normally have a few beers, but I think everyone is just getting on with it,” England fan Nick Cottrill told CNN at the FIFA Fan Festival.

“Everyone here is just really happy and there is so much negativity back home. It’s all running well,” added Cottrill who was visiting Qatar with his father, Gary.

There were one potential downside about not being able to drink at stadiums, according to the Cottrill in that from their experience matches were a bit less boisterous, though that’s not necessarily been a bad thing.

“Normally, so many people go over the top,” Gary Cottrill told CNN. “It’s fine to have alcohol, but those people who come for the sake of causing trouble and being obnoxious are being stopped from coming.”

Sourcing alcohol

Since Qatar was chosen to host the World Cup 12 years ago, the sale and use of alcohol have been a very divisive topic.

The Muslim nation is seen as being extremely conservative, and alcohol sales and consumption are strictly regulated.

Being intoxicated in public is against the law in Qatar, and offenders risk legal repercussions.

According to UK government advice on traveling to Qatar, drinking in a public place could “result in a prison sentence of up to six months and/or a fine up to 3,000 Qatar Rial (4).”

Qatar had announced in September that it will allow ticketed soccer fans to purchase alcoholic beverages at World Cup games beginning three hours before kickoff and continuing for one hour after the final whistle, but not during the game itself.

Then, two days before the opening game, FIFA announced that no alcohol will be sold at the stadiums hosting the 64 games of the tournament. FIFA announced in a statement that only specific fan parks and other locations with permits would offer alcohol in the Doha area.

Even yet, there are still some fans that can pay to drink during games. Supporters can purchase a match hospitality package for a range of services, including alcohol, at prices ranging from 0 to ,950 per match.

The UK government has advised that expatriates residing in Qatar can purchase alcohol through a permission system and that alcohol is also accessible at authorized hotel restaurants and bars throughout Doha.

Between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m., Budweiser beer is also sold at the FIFA Fan Festival, so attendees who wish to drink can do so without any problem.

However, many World Cup attendees who traveled great distances to be in Qatar didn't do so to replenish their supply of alcohol.

“That’s not what we’re here for,” US fan Deya Banisakher, 30, told CNN.

Banisakher is in Doha to follow the US Men’s National Team (USMNT) with his partner, Mireya Jurado.

Like many, the couple says the restrictions around drinking outside venues have had very little impact on their trip.

“We’re here to watch the football matches, soak up the culture. The architecture is beautiful. We’re having a great time,” explained Jurado.

In the capital of Qatar, there is a noticeable sense of family, with supporters taking advantage of the city when they aren't watching games.

The Souq Waqif neighborhood in downtown Doha is a favorite among supporters and is regularly crowded with thousands of people cheering on various teams. Even though fans are frequently crammed into small spaces, interactions are always cordial.

Of course, this could still happen if there is alcohol present, but major soccer events have in the past been marred by fan violence and hooliganism that has not yet been seen at Qatar 2022.

According to a study ordered by the English Football Association, excessive alcohol and drug usage significantly detracted from the Euro 2020 final at Wembley.

A safer World Cup?

One expert claims that the absence of alcohol near stadiums during Qatar 2022 has also decreased the possibility of crowd-related issues developing into significant incidents.

“Let’s consider if you’re taking your family to watch a match,” Dr. Sean Mottaleb, senior healthcare leader who works for the emergency, crisis, and disaster preparedness team at Qatar 2022, told CNN.

“Would you feel safe if you have somebody who is intoxicated sitting next to you and they don’t have that much control over their behavior?

“I would say this event is not only for hardcore football fans, it’s for everybody. It’s for everybody around the world. Everybody has the right to enjoy; everybody has the right to feel safe.”

Mottaleb claims he is content with how the competition has played out so far in terms of security and medical concerns.

There haven't been many crowd-related problems, and Mottaleb contends that the tournament's decision to forbid alcohol near stadiums was made for security reasons in addition to cultural ones.

“We measure the risks associated with those who are intoxicated, and the risk becomes higher,” he said.

“Sometimes, you might have small incidents right, left and center and those incidents might lead to what we call an [snowball] effect, a major incident.

“So, since you know that there is a risk, there is a potential for harm, what would you do? You eliminate that element.”

With lots of time left before the World Cup ends on December 18, anything is possible.

However, there is a perception that this World Cup has demonstrated that soccer can be enjoyed without excessive drinking.

The fans are more amused that the matter is receiving so much attention in their home nations when all they want to see is an exciting play on the field.

Despite what Mottaleb claimed, an alcohol ban in the 2026 competition, which will be held in Mexico, the US, and Canada, is extremely unlikely.

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