Reportage
2022 World Cup in Qatar: fans in search of alcohol
Audio 02:01
Fans drink beers while watching on a giant screen in the fan zone the FIFA World Cup Group A match between Qatar and Ecuador being played at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Doha, Qatar , Sunday, November 20, 2022. AP - Francisco Seco
Text by: Cédric de Oliveira
2 mins
In Qatar, it is forbidden to drink alcohol on the streets and its consumption is very limited.
In addition, FIFA and the country's authorities have banned the sale of alcohol around stadiums.
So how do supporters around the world manage to consume it on the spot?
They find their happiness, for example, in the Fan Zone installed in Doha during the World Cup.
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From our Special Envoy in Doha,
It's almost 7 p.m. in Doha and a group of Ecuadorian supporters are desperately waiting for the Fan Festival stands to open.
Logically, they sell alcohol there, and some absolutely want to drink a beer.
For that, they waited in the queue for an hour and a half.
"
It's like an orgasm
," proclaims one of them.
Fantastic !
Almost like a goal from the equator... A victory for Ecuador!
»
The pint was downed in seconds and Jorge, still thirsty, planned to queue again to get the Grail: “
It's pure emotion.
Finally, we have our beers!
It's 200 Qatari riyals for the four pints, but hey, it's well worth the wait and the money it costs.
»
► To read also:
Mondial 2022: a beer for the atmosphere please
“
A Mondial without beers does not exist!
»
Two hundred riyals, which corresponds to almost 60 euros, for two liters of beer.
A priori prohibitive for some wallets, but like Walter, a Mexican supporter, who came with his family, it doesn't matter the price in the end: “
It's magic.
The truth is that we come to like Qatar very much.
Enjoying this beer is wonderful... Because for me, a Mondial without beer doesn't exist!
»
Unthinkable for the Mexicans who come across a group of Saudis, future adversaries in their group, and who after trying to hide the fact that they were drinking, ended up explaining why they had let themselves be tempted.
“
Yes we are in a place where it is authorized, so it is ok for me,
confides one of them.
And then it proves that we can party in Qatar.
In fact, those who want to, they will do it without problems, and the others, they do not, and fortunately.
Basically, it's giving what he wants to everyone.
»
Be careful not to drink too much.
Being intoxicated on the streets in Qatar is a serious offense that can result in incarceration.
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