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      Can you drink alcohol in Qatar?

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      THE 2022 World Cup in Qatar is expected to attract millions of football fans from all corners of the globe.And many of them might fancy an alcoholic beverage once they land. But can you drink alcohol in Qatar? Here’s everything you need to know.
      Can you drink alcohol in Qatar?
      Alcohol isn’t illegal in Qatar, but there is zero tolerance for drinking in public and being drunk in public is a crime.
      Local law and customs reflect the fact that Qatar is an Islamic country – therefore you should respect the rules at all times and ensure your actions do not offend.
      Drinking in a public place could result in a prison sentence of up to six months – and/or a fine up to QAR3,000, which converts to £696.29.
      You can only purchase alcohol at licensed hotel restaurants and bars.
      Alcohol can only be purchased at licensed hotel restaurants and bars
      There is also a single state-controlled off-licence, but alcohol can only be obtained using a permit system.
      Visitors are not allowed to bring alcohol into the country, nor are they permitted to shop at the nation’s lone liquor store located on the outskirts of Doha. 
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      The legal drinking age in Qatar is 21, and establishments serving alcohol will ask for original photo ID upon entry.
      Fifa chiefs have agreed with the Muslim host nation that bars at stadiums will be shut between kick-off and the final whistle – during the 2022 World Cup.
      But fans will be able to buy beer, wine and spirits before and after matches when they get to the grounds – in designated special drinking zones.
      Formal confirmation of drinking rules will come before the tournament, which starts in Doha on November 21, 2022.
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      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.
      How much does alcohol cost in Qatar?
      In 2019, Qatar introduced the “sin tax” – doubling the prices of alcohol overnight.
      It was introduced by Qatar’s General Authority of Customs, in a 30-page list of new prices for beer, wines and spirits – citing the introduction of a 100 per cent “excise tax”.
      The price of alcohol varies – however, visitors can expect to pay through the nose for an alcoholic beverage of their choice.
      Examples of the cost of alcohol in Qatar include – a 100cl bottle of Bombay Sapphire gin costing a staggering £73.
      A 75cl bottle of wine costs £18.50 and a 24-pack of Heineken 330ml beers cost £84.
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      With this being said, football fans can expect the prices of alcohol to be eye-watering – with beers expecting to cost around £10 a pint.
      Qatar’s average pint costs £9.98, more than double the UK’s price of £4.07. More

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      Photo of 83-year-old Argentina fan watching World Cup on chair outside shop goes viral and sparks amazing gift

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      A PHOTO of an 83-year-old Argentina fan watching the World Cup through the window of an electronic store has gone viral, and earned him an amazing gift..Carlos Bejar watched the semi-final victory over Croatia in the spot due to not having cable TV.
      Carlos Beja watched the semi-final victory against Croatia from outside a storeCredit: Twitter
      He told local media he lives close to the store and travelled there because he has no connection in his local area.
      Carlos admitted: “It’s a very big screen, it’s like being in the stadium.”
      A tweet of him sitting in the street went viral in Argentina, and was retweeted more than 5,000 times, and he became a national star.
      As a result, company Fravega gifted Carlos a 55-inch TV so he could watch the final against France from the comfort of his own home.
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      Regardless, he’s still planning on returning to the store.
      He said: “As long as they don’t throw me out there, I’ll be there.”
      The shop is located close to Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires.
      Carlos takes an interest in football because most of his friends have passed away.
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      And the beach chair he sat on during the game brings him luck as it previously belonged to his mother.
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      The 83-year-old man was gifted a TV by company FravegaCredit: Twitter
      Carlos’ story has gone viral on social mediaCredit: Twitter
      Fans have been loving the story on social media.
      One said: “WHAT WONDERFUL THINGS HAPPEN SOMETIMES 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏💯.”
      A second responded: “OMG!!!! I love my country ❤.” More

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      Fans claim England could still win the World Cup after bizarre loophole is revealed and unlikely chain of events

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      FANS have revealed that England could still win the World Cup thanks to a bizarre – and very unlikely – loophole.The Three Lions were knocked out in the quarter-final by France, losing 2-1 to the finalists.
      England could win the World Cup thanks to a strange loopholeCredit: Getty
      But there is a mathematical chance England could get their hands on the trophy – should a outlandish set of circumstances unfold.
      England boast the best disciplinary record in the tournament with just one yellow card, which Harry Maguire picked up against France.
      Because of that, England will be crowned champions if both the final and third place play-off are abandoned, as revealed by fan Adam Devlin.
      For that to happen all four teams across the two fixtures would each have to have four players sent off – and each have a fifth player sent off simultaneously.
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      That would mean the matches could not be completed, leaving Fifa with no choice but to hand the trophy to the quarter-finalist with the best disciplinary record – England.
      It would be a bizarre way for England to claim their first major honour in 56 years, but it seems fans would not mind.

      One supporter reacting to the loophole said: “I knew it was coming home.”
      Another added: “So you’re telling me there’s a chance…”
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      And a third said: “These are the flimsiest straws I’ve ever clutched at 🤞🏻.”
      Another commented: “Keep the faith.” More

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      Who is Melissa Reddy? Sky Sports presenter at 2022 World Cup

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      THE World Cup is here and amongst the action is Sky Sports presenter Melissa Reddy, who has been reporting from Qatar.There has been plenty of talking points already from the tournament, with a number of major upsets turning heads around the world.
      Melissa Reddy is a presenter for Sky SportsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_reddy/?hl=en
      She has been openly critical of FIFA president Gianni InfantinoCredit: https://www.instagram.com/melissa_reddy/?hl=en
      Who is Melissa Reddy?
      Melissa Reddy is a South African author and football journalist.
      She left her role as Senior Football corespondent at the Independent earlier this year, moving to Sky Sports.
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      The 36-year-old has been outspoken on issues regarding sexism and racism, discussing the barriers that women face in the workplace.
      She went viral on social media after picking apart FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s recent speech.
      Reddy stated “I think this will be the World Cup that really underpins just how dirty the game is.”
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      She is also rumoured to be dating Bayern Munich star Sadio Mane.
      The pair are thought to have met during an interview whilst Mane was still playing for Liverpool.
      However, neither have confirmed the rumours to be true. More

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      Real Madrid star Karim Benzema appears to SNUB France World Cup final call-up in blunt Instagram post

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      KARIM BENZEMA appears to have snubbed the possibility of a return to the France squad for Sunday’s World Cup final.The Real Madrid star was originally named in Les Bleus’ 26-man squad and even travelled to Qatar with his team-mates.
      Karim Benzema posted this snap on Instagram
      He was forced to go home with a thigh injury, however, suffered during his side’s first training session in the Middle East.
      Having already had to replace crocked Christopher Nkunku with Randal Kolo Muani, France elected not to call up a replacement for Benzema – leaving him still eligible to play as part of their squad, on paper at least.
      Boss Didier Deschamps was asked after his side’s semi-final victory over Morocco if Benzema could return to Qatar to play in the final.
      Deschamps sighed dismissively, before refusing to answer the question, seemingly out of contempt.
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      It appears that Benzema would have no interest in returning anyhow, if his latest Instagram post is anything to go by.
      The 34-year-old posted a snap of himself snarling into a camera while donning a baseball cap and sporting a thick, bushy beard.
      He captioned the post: “I’m not interested.”
      Real Madrid team-mate Dani Ceballos replied with a flame emoji.
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      Benzema, 34, sustained a thigh injury during his side’s first training session in QatarCredit: AFP
      While Lucas Vazquez wrote “At home” before also adding a flame emoji.
      Benzema then shared a photo of him receiving the Ballon d’Or award this year – and captioned it “Good Night” so as to seemingly draw a line under it all.
      Benzema was claimed to be furious with the way in which Deschamps handled his injury.
      The prolific striker was allegedly particularly upset with his manager saying: “What a pity Karim that you have to leave.”
      It appears that Benzema felt hurt at being pushed out and forced to leave the squad behind in Qatar.
      He has since regained full fitness, and even featured in a recent friendly for Real Madrid.
      The LaLiga champions would have been happy to allow Benzema to return to Qatar, having made a quicker recovery than expected.
      But neither the France coaching staff, nor the player himself, seem to want that to happen.
      One man that DOES want Benzema to be at the final is French president Emmanuel Macron.
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      According to Marca, Macron wants the forward, as well as injured duo N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba, to be part of the group on Sunday.
      Opponents Argentina have welcomed Sergio Aguero and Giovani Lo Celso into their camp – with fellow unavailable players Joaquin Correa and Nicolas Gonzalez also set to be with their group at the final.
      The reigning Ballon d’Or winner regained full fitness and has been training with Real MadridCredit: Getty
      Benzema wrote ‘Good night’ alongside a snap of him and his Golden BallCredit: INSTAGRAM / @KARIMBENZEMA More

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      ‘I felt sorry for him’ – Gary Neville claims Cristiano Ronaldo was let down by Portugal manager Santos at World Cup

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      GARY NEVILLE has admitted that he “felt sorry” for Cristiano Ronaldo when Portugal exited the World Cup.They were eliminated in the quarter-finals, going down 1-0 to surprise package Morocco.
      Cristiano Ronaldo left Portugal’s quarter-final in tearsCredit: ITV
      Gary Neville was sad to see Ronaldo upsetCredit: Rex
      Ronaldo, 37, had been dropped after the group stage, and was called upon in the 51st minute of the quarter-final with his side trailing.
      He was unable to salvage the match, however, with Portugal being eliminated from the tournament.
      The forward left the field in tears, an image that tugged at Neville’s heartstrings.
      Speaking to Sky Sports, the pundit compared his old Manchester United team-mate’s situation to that of Lionel Messi – saying: “Messi has been managed by Argentina in terms of how the rest of the group have come around him, and they completely play to his strengths.
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      “Whereas with Portugal and with (Fernando) Santos having known Cristiano for so long, I thought he’d have done the same.
      “It feels to me like something has happened within the tournament that’s meant the plan has changed and Santos has thought, ‘I need to leave you out.’
      “But once you leave Cristiano out, it’s not just leaving another player out. It becomes a global story.
      “I actually felt sorry for Cristiano in the end, when he was walking down that tunnel in tears. That’s never a good image.
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      “You know he’s thinking, ‘this is it, I’m never going to play in this tournament again’.
      “I wouldn’t class it as an underachievement from Ronaldo, I’d say it’s an over-achievement that he’s doing what he’s doing at the age of 37, it’s just the way it ended with him being out of the team.”
      Santos, 68, was sacked by Portugal following his side’s exit – having insisted that he has “no regrets” regarding his handling of Ronaldo.
      The veteran striker was dropped after the group stage following just one goal, from the penalty spot, in the three games.
      His replacement Goncalo Ramos went on to bag a sensational hat-trick in the round of 16 thrashing of Switzerland.
      Speaking after his side’s exit, Santos said: “I don’t think so, no regrets. I think this was a team which played very well against Switzerland.
      “Cristiano Ronaldo is a great player, he came in when we thought it was necessary, so no regrets.
      “If we take two persons that were the most upset, it is Cristiano Ronaldo and me. Of course, we are upset, but that is part of the job of the coach and the player.”
      Neville, meanwhile, appears to be holding no grudge against Ronaldo.
      The 47-year-old was criticised during the five-time Ballon d’Or winner’s interview with The Sun’s Piers Morgan – when Ronaldo accused him of using his name for fame.
      Neville was also blanked by his old team-mate while working for Sky.
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      Having been axed by Man United last month, Ronaldo has been training at former club Real Madrid’s facilities in order to stay fit ahead of his next move.
      But Carlo Ancelotti’s side aren’t thought to be interested in bringing him back to Santiago Bernabeu.
      Fernando Santos was sacked after his team’s World Cup exitCredit: EPA More

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      Africa has talent on and off football pitch to succeed but needs structure to compete with European wages

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      IN AFRICA itself, professional football doesn’t do so well, certainly not the club leagues.I’m afraid that, for all the solemn promises and grandiose schemes from Fifa, this will continue.
      The footballing structure in Africa needs improvement if it is to compete with EuropeCredit: Getty
      Morocco made history as the first African nation to make a World Cup semi-finalCredit: Getty
      It is truly history-making that Morocco reached the World Cup semi-finals.
      It shouts to the powerhouse football countries that elite-level coaching in the lesser developed world is first-class.
      And the skills are by no means taught by expats, all five countries that made it to Qatar were head-coached by Africans.
      So, we know they have the talent both on and off the pitch to succeed on a world stage.
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      Where the difference lies is that the average footballer in Africa, from Morocco to Zimbabwe, earns £7,000 a month while the average Premier League wage is more than £250,000 a month.
      This is not a reflection of talent, but a direct reflection on the difference in the domestic leagues’ organisational structures as well as the broadcast rights and sponsorship revenue that each generate.
      The knock-on effect for the African domestic game is that outstanding footballers are quickly made to realise that fortunes are made in Europe, way beyond national boundaries, where top football is easier to come by and wages are much, much higher.
      Now the USA, Japan and the oil states are also tempting their players, emptying Africa of many riches. As ever.
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      Much of Africa is football barmy but actual progress on their own fields has been gradual, not least because of the lack of equipment, issues around fan safety and the mere fact trim grass is not readily available.
      That has never stopped boys or, increasingly, girls playing the game but unforgiving pitches, from sand to rock, take some overcoming.
      Fifa have plans to help.
      Publishing accounts isn’t their strong point but it is believed they have spent £2.5billion on worldwide assistance in the last six years.
      Divide that among about 200 countries and include too many fat, old committees and employees with a liking for posh offices, pleasant hotels and fleets of cars of their own.
      Fifa profit on the Qatar competition alone is about £7bn.
      In the long run, old-fashioned free-market economics will probably work better than dutiful charity because by all accounts the footballing countries of Africa teem with scouts watching out for talent.
      In time, I hope big TV fees and richer citizens may boost domestic clubs to the point where, say, 20 would form national Premier Leagues which pay players competitive salaries and retain their talent.
      Back in 1977, Pele predicted: “An African nation will win the World Cup before the year 2000.” That didn’t happen but they are edging closer.
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      The precedents for the standard of domestic African football are not good.
      And it isn’t going to be much helped by the plan to have at least nine teams from the continent playing at the expanded World Cup 2026 if the focus remains on individual talent playing outside of Africa, rather than national team development inside of Africa. More

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      Sergio Aguero joins Argentina camp and is sharing room with Lionel Messi again ahead of World Cup final vs France

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      SERGIO AGUERO has joined up with the Argentina squad and is sharing a room with Lionel Messi.The 34-year-old was forced to retire last year due to health issues, but will be cheering on his old team-mates during Sunday’s World Cup final.
      Sergio Aguero has joined up with the Argentina campCredit: Reuters
      Aguero has been reunited with his best pal Lionel MessiCredit: Getty
      Aguero and Messi have been close friends for nearly two decades – and were Argentina room-mates even in their youth team days.
      Upon the former’s retirement, Messi went into this tournament WITHOUT a room-mate at all – preferring to go alone than with anyone other than Aguero.
      Upon his arrival in Qatar, however, Aguero has reunited with his best mate, and is sharing a dorm room with him just like old times.
      Such is their close relationship, that Messi is godfather to Aguero’s son Benjamin, 13.
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      The Manchester City legend isn’t the only star that has been invited into the Argentina camp.
      Boss Lionel Scaloni has also invited players that missed the tournament through injury.
      Tottenham’s Giovani Lo Celso was in attendance at their semi-final win over Croatia.
      While Joaquin Correa and Nicolas Gonzelez are expected to join up before Sunday’s showpiece event.
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      Messi and Aguero have been great pals since their youth team daysCredit: Getty
      Aguero’s presence, however, will mean the most to Messi.
      Upon his mate’s retirement last year, the PSG star released an emotional statement.
      It read: “Practically a whole career together, Kun.
      “We lived very beautiful moments and others that were not so, all of them made us unite more and be closer friends.
      “‘And we are going to continue living them together off the pitch.
      “With the great joy of lifting the Copa America so little ago, with all the achievements you achieved in England.
      “And the truth is that now it hurts a lot to see how you have to stop doing what you like the most because of what happened to you.
      “Surely you will continue to be happy because you are a person who transmits happiness and those of us who love you will be with you.
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      “Now a new stage of your life begins and I am convinced that you are going to live it with a smile and with all the illusion that you put into everything.
      “All the best in this new stage !!! I love you a lot, friend, I’m going to miss a lot being with you on the pitch and when we get together with the National Team !!! @Kun Aguero.”
      Giovani Lo Celso has also joined up with the Argentina campCredit: Getty More