Fifa

ENGLAND and Wales fans will not be able to drink during World Cup games in Qatar this winter.Fifa chiefs have agreed with the Muslim host nation that bars at stadiums will be shut between kick-off and the final whistle.
Venues like the Al-Janoub Stadium will have an alcohol ban during gamesCredit: Rex
But fans will be able to buy beer, wine and spirits before and after matches when they get to the grounds.
A World Cup source said: “At stadiums, the plans are still being finalised, but the current discussion is to allow fans to have beer upon arrival and when leaving the stadium, but beer won’t be served during the match or inside the stadium bowl.”
Formal confirmation of drinking rules will come before the tournament, which starts in Doha on November 21.
International hotels will serve alcohol as will the official Fifa fan zone in Al Bidda Park in the centre of the capital city, although bars will have restricted hours.
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Qatari police are expected to crack down on public drunkenness even in the fan zones while no drinking will be allowed outside the strictly-enforced areas.
But in addition to the fan zone, there will also be a drinking area at the Doha Golf Club, able to house up to 20,000 supporters, while there will be another dance and drink venue in the city.
The restrictions will not too much of a shock for British fans, with drinking alcohol in sight of the pitch still banned, although bars are open at half-time.
At the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the only beer available at stadiums – apart from in the hospitality areas where a full bar service was available – was alcohol-free.
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It comes as tournament bosses discuss changing the format of the 2026 event — including DOUBLING the number of matches for the expanded 48-team set-up.
If agreed, that plan would mean the World Cup winners playing EIGHT games.
Aendments are being considered as organisers worry that the plan for 16 groups of three teams could see unofficial deals struck in the last match to ensure both sides go through. More

WORLD CUP chiefs are discussing changing the format of the 2026 tournament — meaning the winners would have to play EIGHT games.Organisers worry that the plan for 16 groups of three teams in the expanded 48-nation event could see unofficial deals struck in the last match to ensure both sides go through.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino and vice-president Vittorio Montagliani pose with the trophy at Radio City in New York before possible changes to the formatCredit: EPA
Previous suggestions to prevent this included penalty shootouts for an extra point after drawn group games.
Offering group winners the enticement of ‘home advantage’ so they avoid moving between venues is another option.
But now senior figures are discussing splitting the qualifiers into 12 groups of four teams for the initial phase.
The top two in each group, plus the best eight third-placed sides, would make the knockout stages.
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Fixtures release date
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Yet that would mean 104 games — up from 64 matches scheduled for Qatar 2022 — and the finalists having to play eight matches rather than seven.
Fifa insist this plan is not on the agenda at this stage but SunSport has been told the idea is gaining momentum.
Yet it would risk a conflict with clubs who are already complaining that seven-match tournaments represent too great a strain on their players.
It would also mean the World Cup lasting at least 35 days, compared to 28 days this winter.
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SPURS’ CASH COW
DANIEL LEVY’S money-making schemes continue — even when there is no football.
The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium played host to Guns N’ Roses last weekend with Lady Gaga to come later this month.
And, while Spurs will not be in action for six weeks because of Qatar 2022, the November void will be filled by international rugby union with New Zealand playing the Barbarians.
Well, when you have boss Antonio Conte’s demands to meet, you need to get the cash in.
SOUTHGATE ON SAME PAGE
GARETH SOUTHGATE and Wales boss Robert Page both made optional visits to Doha this week — to ensure their World Cup plans are on track.
Three Lions’ chief Gareth Southgate popped over for a heads-up in DohaCredit: Alamy
Coaches did not have to attend Fifa’s technical workshop, which took place in the Qatari’s capital after their meeting at April’s draw.
But both Southgate and Page accompanied their media and medical representatives with the England boss understood to have visited the team’s hotel, training base and three group stage stadia.
Their visits came as Fifa announced the opening of the sales window for the final batch of 1.2million tickets for November.
Fans can now buy up to six seats per match, with three price brackets available, and 60 across the tournament. The window shuts on August 16 with tickets sold on a first- come, first-served basis.
EUROPEAN SUPER LEAGUE.. AGAIN?
EUROPEAN football’s minnows are thinking about setting up their own organisation as the Super League backlash rumbles on.
Some small and medium-sized clubs feel they are ignored and overlooked by the European Club Association, which represents 250 of the biggest sides in Uefa.
So they want to create a 100-strong ‘Union of European Clubs’ to give themselves a voice and more input into the future of European football.
SHAK TALK
SHOW Racism the Red Card will celebrate 25 years of changing football at two events next week.
Speakers at the bashes in London on Monday and Newcastle two days later will include former Newcastle goalkeeper Shaka Hislop.
LIONS BULL-ISH
BRITISH basketball has been in the shadow of the NBA but has now made its own marquee signing.
London Lions have appointed Chicago Bulls’ Vanja Cernivec as head of its women’s team and academy. She was the NBA’s first female international scout. More