Alcohol, homosexuality rules that fans must follow during the Qatar 2022 World Cup.

2022 FIFA World Cup begins today (Sunday), there are several key legal issues that fans should be aware of while in Qatar.

This became necessary in order to reduce the possibility of fans falling victim to Qatar’s harsh punishments, which include lengthy prison sentences.
One of these is the sale of alcohol, which has been one of the most contentious issues surrounding the tournament. And Qatari authorities have agreed to relax the country’s strict restrictions on where it can be sold during the World Cup.

Fans can purchase drinks in fan zones and select hotels, but the royal family intervened, forcing them to back down on earlier promises to make them available near stadiums.

Supporters will be limited to only four drinks, and they will be expensive, with 500ml of Budweiser costing £12. To purchase in any of the licensed venues, you must be at least 21 years old.

Drinking in public outside of permitted areas, as well as public drunkenness, can be costly. The offenses are punishable by a £700 fine or a six-month prison sentence.

Furthermore, FIFA confirmed on Friday that no alcohol will be sold at the eight stadiums that will host the tournament’s 64 matches.

“Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations, and licensed venues, removing beer sales points from Qatar’s FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeter,” FIFA said in a statement.

Another topic that has been discussed in the run-up to the start of the World Cup is homosexuality.

Qatar’s record on LGBTQ+ rights has been one of the tournament’s most contentious issues, with homosexuality being illegal and punishable by three years in prison.

The World Cup organizers have stated that everyone is welcome at the event, but public displays of affection are discouraged.

Rainbow flags may also be confiscated from supporters under the guise of protecting them from anti-LGBTQ+ violence.

Other things to consider are that protests, fighting, and disorderly behavior are all punishable by law, with penalties including jail time and fines.

Meanwhile, in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup, host Qatar will face Ecuador.