Fan Fest has an avalanche of fans for the 1st ‘official’ beer drink of the World Cup

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Thousands of fans queued in Doha for more than an hour this Saturday (19) waiting to buy the first “official” beer for the 2022 World Cup.

On the eve of the opening game between Qatar and Ecuador, the FIFA Fan Fest opened its doors and, three hours later, the beer tents were opened in Al Bidda Park, in the Qatari capital.

One day after the decision by the organizers not to sell beers in the surroundings of the stadiums and to make the drink available only in areas intended for fans, the moment was much awaited by anxious fans, who, when the gates opened, ran like in a 100 m race in search of the first sip.

Greg Krawiec, 31, an American fan from Poland, had promised that he would be among the first in line for a beer. He kept his promise.

“It’s a little heartbreaking because I like having a beer while watching football, but that won’t dampen interest in the tournament,” he said.

“We want the World Cup to be festive, and beer helps to have fun, but we have to adapt,” said Mexican Alan Sánchez, 30.

Juan Álvarez, in turn, shows off his skills as a tightrope walker by carrying 12 beers bought at 50 Qatari rials (approximately R$75 at current exchange rates) each, a price similar to those practiced in international hotels and higher than stated in a first moment by the organizers.

‘Four beers instead of one’

“I’m going to drink at least three”, announces Álvares while watching the fireworks display. “The fireworks and lasers are awesome, but not a World Cup without beer.”

Like most fans from abroad, American Katherine Castellanos, 30, accepts the restrictions imposed by the authorities in Qatar, a conservative Muslim emirate.

She offers a valuable tip before joining the crowd of 40,000 people from Qatar and visitors, mostly Latin Americans: “When you get to the counter, buy four beers instead of one.”

For the rest of the afternoon, the official inauguration of the Fan Fest by the president of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, and a concert by the Colombian singer Maluma.

DJs Diplo and Calvin Harris, the group Clean Bandit and rapper Gims were also among the musical attractions at the party.

Several private fan areas, many with unrestricted alcohol sales, are dotted around Doha.

Cup organizers promise 90 special events until the final of the tournament, on December 18th.

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