Some football fans who flew to Qatar for the World Cup games were left upset when they learned that Qatar banned the sale of beer at World Cup stadiums on Friday - only two days before the opening game.
"I don't think that should be the decision that they should make, especially when they did have plans for international beverages," said Leslie Abou Hana, afootball fan from Miami.
Friday's statement from FIFA said non-alcoholic beer will still be sold at the eight stadiums, while champagne, wine, whiskey and other alcohol will still be served in the luxury hospitality areas of the arenas.
But the vast majority of ticket holders don't have access to those areas - though they will be able to drink alcoholic beer in the evenings in what is known as the FIFA Fan Festival, a designated party area that also offers live music and activities.
Federico Ferraz, a fan from Portugal, said football and beer are synonymous for many people.
"I've been to several World Cups and it's the first time that, not even in the stadium they will serve beer," Ferraz said.
Outside of the tournament-run areas, Qatar puts strict limits on the purchase and consumption of alcohol, though its sale has been permitted in hotel bars for years.
Football fan Adel Abou Hana from Miami said he was not too affected by Qatar's decision, saying: "We're not here to drink beer. We're here to watch the soccer game."
When Qatar launched its bid to host the World Cup, the country agreed to FIFA’s requirements of selling alcohol in stadiums, and again when signing contracts after winning the vote in 2010.
At the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, the host country was forced to change a law to allow alcohol sales in stadiums.
Qatar, which is governed by a hereditary emir who has absolute say over all governmental decisions, follows an ultraconservative form of Islam known as Wahhabism like neighboring Saudi Arabia.
In the runup to the World Cup, rights groups have raised concerns about how the nation will host millions of foreign fans, some of whom might violate Islamic laws criminalizing public drunkenness, sex outside of marriage and homosexuality.
Qatar’s government and its Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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