Flag-draped followers have continued to pour into Qatar upfront of the Center East’s first World Cup, whilst organisers banned the sale of beer at stadiums – a last-minute resolution that gave the impression to be largely welcomed by the nation’s residents and shrugged off by some guests.
The Gulf nation, residence to some three million individuals, anticipated one other 1.2 million followers to fly in for the match that begins on Sunday.
After Friday prayers, the discuss of the capital, Doha, turned the sudden ruling by the federal government to halt all beer gross sales at stadiums.
Many welcomed the choice within the nation, the place beers, wine and liquor are offered at discrete lodge bars.
Abdullah, an Egyptian resident of Qatar, mentioned he would really feel extra comfy attending video games understanding that beer wouldn’t be obtainable within the stadiums.
“I’m pleased to listen to this information. It’s not like alcohol will not be offered in Qatar. Folks need to respect Muslim tradition and get on with the match. I’ll really feel a lot better about taking my household to the stadium now. We’re supporting Brazil,” he advised Al Jazeera.
Federico Ferraz, a fan group organiser from Portugal, mentioned the timing of the choice to ban alcohol on the stadiums was made too late.
“I believe FIFA and Qatar left it very late to announce this resolution … Followers are going to really feel onerous completed by. They waited until the final minute, for everybody to purchase tickets, guide motels after which they introduced it. Had been they afraid that followers wouldn’t have come right here if that they had banned alcohol earlier?”
Alcohol will nonetheless be served in motels, luxurious suites, personal properties and on the FIFA Fan Competition website through the match.
In Doha’s Souq Waqif market, 35-year-old Pablo Zambrano of Ecuador shrugged off the information of the beer ban earlier than his nation’s opening night time match in opposition to Qatar on Sunday.
He was staying together with his mom, who lives in Qatar, and mentioned the fridge already is stocked with beer, which foreigners should purchase legally in chosen depots.
“There’s issues in regards to the alcohol and the ladies with the gown codes,” Zambrano advised the Related Press information company, referring to the nation’s customs. “It’s totally different. But it surely’s going to be good.”
Zambrano was one in all a rising variety of followers sightseeing within the conventional market and alongside the Corniche, a seaside boulevard with views of Doha’s glittering skyline.
Simply down the road, 24-year-old vegetable vendor Ajmal Pial from Khulna, Bangladesh, took within the breeze with the town’s skyscrapers stretched out behind him throughout the waters of the Persian Gulf.
However as a substitute of his nation’s inexperienced and crimson disc flag, Pial waved Brazil’s over his head as his buddy took photos of him. He and his pals assist Argentina and Brazil, two of the match favourites.
For Pial and others, the World Cup represents a pinnacle of labor in Qatar and sure a ultimate hurrah earlier than heading residence as jobs doubtlessly gradual.
Labour situations in Qatar, like lots of the Gulf Arab states, have been criticised for exploiting the low-paid employees who constructed the previous pearling port right into a desert metropolis.
Qatar has overhauled its labour legal guidelines, however activists have requested for extra to be completed. There are not any ensures for freedom of speech within the nation, however Pial mentioned he felt genuinely pleased on the probability to see the match.
His buddy, 32-year-old Shobuz Sardar, additionally from Khulna, Bangladesh, mentioned a part of that pleasure got here from the truth that it is just the second time that an Asian nation hosts the World Cup, 20 years after Japan and South Korea co-hosted the match.
He additionally mentioned the match supplied a uncommon alternative to have fun.
“You additionally know that there are too many individuals all right here for work, for jobs,” Sardar mentioned. “They don’t have any choice for having enjoyable. This World Cup makes them have enjoyable.”