Budweiser plans to send unsold beer intended for World Cup in Qatar to winning country

Alcoholic beverage sales were banned in Qatar stadiums during the World Cup

Published: November 24, 2022 2:44pm

Updated: November 24, 2022 3:01pm

Budweiser said it plans to send unsold beer intended for the World Cup in Qatar to the winning country instead.

"We will host the ultimate championship celebration for the winning country," a spokesperson for Anheuser-Busch InBev, Budweiser's parent company, said in a statement. "Because, for the winning fans, they've taken the world."

It is unclear how many cases would be transferred to the country whose team wins the World Cup. Budweiser said it intends to release more details closer to the December 18 final.

Last week, FIFA announced that alcoholic beverage sales would be prohibited in stadiums, attributing the decision to "discussions between host country authorities and FIFA." Non-alcoholic beer is permitted for sale.

According to CBS News, alcohol and homosexuality are "generally illegal" in Qatar, which is a Muslim-majority nation.

Fox Sports reported that Qatar's strict penalties for alcohol consumption in public places and other conduct could put international soccer fans at risk during the World Cup.