World Cup 2022 has an alcohol ban – much to the disgust of Ecuador
(Image credit: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
World Cup 2022 has opened with Ecuador in the ascendency – but still the fans aren't happy.
La Tri stormed to a two-goal lead in the first half, after two goals from Enner Valencia gave them the lead of over Qatar. First, a penalty was given against goalkeeper Saad Al-Sheeb of the hosts – after a bizarre and controversial opener was ruled out in the first five minutes, also against Valencia – before the star man doubled his side's lead.
Qatar managed to hang on in there, in a dull second half. But Ecuador fans felt as if they couldn't really enjoy the occasion as such, chanting from the stands about one of the more notable absences from this tournament. And no, that's not Karim Benzema or Sadio Mané.
La hinchada #ECU ya tiene el primer hit del #FIFAWorldCup : “Queremos cerveza, queremos cerveza” pic.twitter.com/Pk91fYLug5November 20, 2022
The South Americans were seen in the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor chanting the words, "Queremos cerveza, queremos cerveza" – which roughly translates as "we want beer, we want beer".
Infamously, alcohol was banned from the tournament just this week. Originally, FIFA had planned for designated areas within stadiums where alcohol could be sold and consumed, due to the strict control in Qatar. But now, the Gulf state has announced that buying booze is completely prohibited for the regular match goer – controversially, unless you have a hospitality ticket worth over £19,000.
Alcohol has been banned at the 2022 World Cup – much to the chagrin of its first visitors (Image credit: Getty Images)
"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 sales points of beer from Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters," FIFA declared last week.
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"There is no impact to the sale of Bud Zero which will remain available at all Qatar's World Cup stadiums. Host country authorities and FIFA will continue to ensure that the stadiums and surrounding areas provide an enjoyable, respectful and pleasant experience for all fans.
"The tournament organisers appreciate AB InBev's understanding and continuous support to our joint commitment to cater for everyone during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022."
Eric Dier, meanwhile, has claimed fans should be able to enjoy the World Cup "with or without alcohol".
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Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
