ALCOHOL will be served at the Qatar World Cup in select areas within stadiums and fan zones, CEO Nasser Al Khater has confirmed.
The World Cup is taking place in a Muslim country in the Middle East for the first time – and consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Islam.
However, it has been confirmed drink can be purchased in Qatar’s capital of Doha.
A 40,000-capacity fan zone is one of the areas where fans can drink after the relaxation of the strict rules.
Al Khater told BBC Sport: “We want people to come and have experiences they will never forget.”
Fifa have said ticket holders will have access to drink options within the stadium ahead of kick-off and after the final whistle.
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Ticket holders will also be able to purchase non-alcoholic beer and soft drinks.
But CEO Al Khater says they are still “finalising our alcohol strategy and additional locations “will be communicated in due course”.
He added: “While alcohol will be available to those who want a drink in designated areas, it will not be openly available on the streets.
“What we ask is that people, when they visit, stick to these designated areas.
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“We are incredibly excited to be welcoming the world to Qatar and the Middle East and Arab world.
“For many people it will be their first opportunity to see and explore the region.
“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we are determined to use it to its fullest.”
Licensed hotel bars and restaurants are the only places in Qatar that usually sell alcohol.
Gareth Southgate’s England team will be staying in an alcohol-free five-star hotel in the recently expanded fishing village of Al Wakrah, 10 miles south of Doha.
The Souq Al-Wakra is a dry hotel, although alcohol-free mocktails are available.
The £62-£109-per-night luxury hotel was also deliberately selected with a beach to replicate England’s relaxed atmosphere they had back in 2018 in Russia, where they reached the semi-finals.
England kick off their World Cup group stage campaign against Iran on November 21.
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They will then follow it up with a date against the USA on November 25.
An all-British clash with Wales will close Group B on November 29.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
