Fans in Qatar who wanted to experience Sunday’s opener in the way World Cups are traditionally celebrated — with alcohol in groups with other fans — had two choices in the conservative, Muslim country.
They could head to FIFA’s official fan festival, which organisers advertised as the place to enjoy sponsor Budweiser’s beer after reversing course two days before Sunday’s opener and banning alcohol sales at the stadiums. Or they could head to one of Qatar’s few bars aimed at westerners, which are licenced to sell alcohol.
To see how fans experienced Sunday’s opener first-hand, ESPN sent two reporters out into the field to explore both options.
