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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Alex Young

‘Well, this is awkward’: Budweiser deleted tweet as World Cup 2022 hosts Qatar ban beer

Budweiser has issued a now-deleted response as World Cup hosts Qatar banned the sale of beer just two days out from the start of the tournament.

An announcement on Friday confirmed the sale of all alcoholic beer will be prohibited at the eight World Cup stadiums in Qatar.

Alcohol will still be served inside stadium hospitality zones and at fan parks.

Budweiser is one of FIFA's biggest World Cup sponsors, and have exclusive rights to sell beer at the tournament in an agreement understood to be worth around $75million.

Budweiser’s now-deleted tweet. (Budweiser)

Ahead of confirmation of the ban, Budweiser tweeted, and then deleted: "Well, this is awkward..."

Qatar, a Muslim country, is not considered a "dry" state like neighbours Saudi Arabia, but consuming alcohol in public places remains illegal.

Alcohol is largely bought at the sole liquor store in the country and can be bought and consumed at hotel bars.

The 2014 World Cup in Brazil saw the host nation change a law to allow the sale of alcohol in stadiums.

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