After Qatar enforced a last-minute restriction on beer at the stadiums for the FIFA World Cup 2022, Budweiser announced it will give all of its excess lager beer to the winning country. The beer company Budweiser posted on Twitter, “New Day, New Tweet. The winning Country gets the Buds. Who will get them?”
According to FIFA President Gianni Infantino, beer sales at World Cup venues were banned at the last minute by Qatar. The President of FIFA recently remarked at a news conference that fans just need three hours without booze to start feeling the effects of withdrawal.
He commented, “If for three hours a day you cannot drink beer, you will survive. Maybe there is a reason why in France, Spain, and Scotland, alcohol is banned in stadiums. Maybe they (Qataris) are more intelligent than us, had thought maybe we should be doing that.”
Later that day, Anheuser-Busch InBev, the parent company of the Budweiser brand and the largest brewer in the world, issued a statement to Reuters saying: “some of the planned stadium activations cannot move forward due to circumstances beyond our control.”
It used to be the case that Budweiser, one of FIFA 2022’s official sponsors, could sell beer at sanctioned World Cup sites in Qatar. Alcoholic beverages will be served during the FIFA Fan Festival, a designated party area with live music and activities for football fans.
Meanwhile, fans were disappointed with the sudden decision as an Ecuador fan told the news agency AFP that this is quite sad. The fan said, “That’s quite sad because, you know, with this weather and all the excitement we have, of course, we want a beer at least once.”
Moreover, two England fans claimed they ended up at a Sheikh’s palace while on the hunt for beer in Qatar. One of the supporters named John revealed having a chance to meet with the royalty the night before while looking for something to drink.
Also, Budwiser is seeking 47M from FIFA after a last-minute alcohol ban.
Since 1986, Budweiser has been a significant sponsor of the event, spending tens of millions of dollars to secure sole distribution rights for their beer.
Budweiser, though, is reportedly demanding roughly $47 million from FIFA after the last-minute move rendered the company’s sponsorship of the tournament moot.
The Daily Mail says that Anheuser-Busch has signed an agreement with FIFA worth $75 million to be the official beer supplier of this year’s event, and a deal worth $112 million for the 2026 tournament to be held in North America.
Alcoholic beer will still be sold during the FIFA Fan Festival, and champagne, wine, and liquor should be available to VIPs.