A Bud party at Qatar 2022 Fan Fest will cost £12.50 a pint

November 17 - World Cup organizers have once again changed their beer plans. After moving the sales stalls out of sight, the price of a can of Budweiser will cost 50 Qatari Riyals (£12.50) inside the main fan area.

The World Cup is traditionally a beer-soaked event, but in Qatar, a strict Muslim country, fans may struggle to get their fill as organizers have set high prices and imposed a limit of four units per person (a can counts as two units).

This is the first time the World Cup has been held in the Middle East and in Qatar, which is not a dry state like Saudi Arabia, alcohol consumption is restricted to high-end hotels . It is forbidden in public places.

Qatar first experimented with the sale of alcohol at a major football tournament when it hosted the FIFA Club World Cup in 2019. The fan zone was far from the center- town and it took about 45 minutes to get there. "We recognize that there is a price issue," Qatar 2022 chief executive Nasser Al Khater said at the time.

But the tournament organizers have now reneged on their promise of affordable beer prizes. FIFA sponsor Budweiser said alcohol will be limited to "a maximum purchase of four Budweiser units per person". Fans were also urged to "drink smarter, cheer better, hydrate between the buds".

The American beer brand has the exclusive right to sell beer during the final and will serve its products at the 40,000 capacity Fan Fest in Al Bidda Park in central Doha. He said: "Budweiser is proud to be served in accordance with local rules and regulations by the FIFA-appointed concessionaire."

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