<p class="content-excerpt">No reason given for the stunning U-turn</p> <div class="components"> <p>FIFA announced Friday that beer will not be sold to fans around any of the eight World Cup stadiums following "discussions" with&nbsp;<a class="link" title="https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/sport/1666691792-qatar-emir-slams-unprecedented-criticism-of-2022-world-cup-hosts" href="https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/sport/1666691792-qatar-emir-slams-unprecedented-criticism-of-2022-world-cup-hosts" _mce_href="https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/sport/1666691792-qatar-emir-slams-unprecedented-criticism-of-2022-world-cup-hosts">hosts Qatar</a>.</p> <p>It gave no reason for the stunning U-turn on beer sales just two days from the start of the tournament,&nbsp;<a class="link" title="https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/sport/1667666236-qatar-slams-hypocrisy-of-calls-for-world-cup-boycott" href="https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/sport/1667666236-qatar-slams-hypocrisy-of-calls-for-world-cup-boycott" _mce_href="https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/middle-east/sport/1667666236-qatar-slams-hypocrisy-of-calls-for-world-cup-boycott">the first ever to be hosted by a Middle Eastern nation</a>.&nbsp;</p> <p>A FIFA statement said alcohol would only be sold in fan zones, "removing sales points of beer from Qatar's FIFA World Cup 2022 stadium perimeters."</p> <p>World Cup sponsor Budweiser was to sell alcoholic beer within the ticketed perimeter surrounding each of the eight stadiums three hours before and one hour after each game.</p> <p>Champagne, wine, whiskey and other alcohol is still expected to be served in the luxury hospitality areas of the stadiums.</p> <p>The move brought new criticism of Qatar, already under pressure over its rights record.</p> <p><br></p> </div>