The sale of beer has been sold in stadiums at the 2022 FIFA World Cup just two days before the tournament is due to kickoff in Qatar ©Budweiser

FIFA has announced it has banned the sale of alcohol at World Cup stadiums in Qatar just 48 hours before the tournament starts after coming under pressure from the country's Royal Family.

FIFA confirmed in its announcement that alcohol sales will be confined to special "fan zones" where pints cost £12 ($14.20/€14), are only available at certain times, and are limited to four per person. 

There had originally been plans for beer produced by FIFA's partner Budweiser to be sold on stadium concourses, despite a strict ban on alcohol in public places in the the strictly-controlled Muslim country.

This will now not happen following a request of Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the brother of Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim.

Fans attending corporate areas of the stadiums, however, will still be able to purchase alcohol, including champagne and beer.

FIFA's official beer sponsor Budweiser tried to make light on social media of the stadium ban at Qatar 2022, but later deleted their message ©Twitter
FIFA's official beer sponsor Budweiser tried to make light on social media of the stadium ban at Qatar 2022, but later deleted their message ©Twitter

"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," said a statement from world football's governing body.

"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."

FIFA's official beer sponsor Budweiser, who pays FIFA $100 million (£84 million/€97 million) to sponsor the World Cup, tried to make light of the situation even though the ban was announced just two days before the opening match of the tournament between hosts Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium on Sunday (November 20). 

Shortly before the announcement was made, the company posted on its Twitter feed, "Well, this is awkward..." 

The message was later deleted.

A spokesperson for AB InBev, the brewing company which owns Budweiser, said that they could not proceed with "some of the planned stadium activations" because of "circumstances beyond our control."

Stadiums in Brazil and Russia both banned serving beer only for them to be lifted for the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, respectively ©Getty Images
Stadiums in Brazil and Russia both banned serving beer only for them to be lifted for the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups, respectively ©Getty Images

When Brazil hosted the FIFA World Cup in 2014, they were forced to temporarily lift a stadium ban on alcohol, imposed in 2003 to combat hooliganism, after the world governing body claimed it was "non-negotiable."

FIFA general secretary at the time Jerome Valcke said: "Alcoholic drinks are part of the FIFA World Cup, so we're going to have them. 

"Excuse me if I sound a bit arrogant but that's something we won't negotiate. 

"The fact that we have the right to sell beer has to be a part of the law."

A ban on serving beer at stadiums in Russia was also lifted so it could be served at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.