Spoiler alert: it won’t be easy (Picture: EPA)

Raising a glass at the World Cup is usually a much-loved tradition for many a football fan.

But this year’s tournament is set to be rather different.

Qatar is known for its strict laws around alcohol, with the gov.uk travel advice stating: ‘It is an offence to drink alcohol or be drunk in public.’

‘Alcohol is available only at licensed hotel restaurants and bars, and expatriates living in Qatar can obtain alcohol on a permit system.’

But, nevertheless, thousands of fans are expected to travel to Qatar to support their teams over three next weeks.

The World Cup is the biggest prize in the sport and the vast majority of fans in the host nation will manage to enjoy it without getting into bother.

There is, of course, always a minority who manage to find themselves on the wrong side of the law – and despite limited access to alcohol, the odds are a British fan or two might be among them.

Stadiums

A last-minute call has resulted in a red card for Budweiser drinks (Picture: EPA)

The sale of alcohol at World Cup stadiums in Qatar was banned on Friday, with just two days to go until the tournament kicks off.

Fans will no longer be able to buy Budweiser, which had been poised to be the only alcoholic beverage available to fans due to its sponsorship of FIFA.

Now no one attending matches will be able to consume alcohol within the stadium perimeter, with the exception of corporate spectators.

FIFA released a statement on Friday confirming the removal of sales points of beer from the stadium perimeters ‘following discussions between the host country authorities and FIFA’.

Breaking this rule may be attempted by some football fans, but will face strict fines or punishment.

Anyone detained during the World Cup pending further investigations is ‘highly likely’ to wash up at Central Prison, according to official UK government advice.

Drinking in the street

Booze-filled parties in the street if England win? Unlikely (Picture: Alberto PIZZOLI/AFP)

Alcohol isn’t illegal in Qatar – but drinking in public is not allowed and being drunk in public is a crime.

Generally in Qatar, public drunkenness is punishable by hefty fines and jailing.

T head of the country’s security operations has said that during the World Cup, , police will turn a blind eye to most offenses.

But officers will still potentially make arrests if someone gets into a drunken brawl or damages public property, so drunken outrage if England lose a match will be more than frowned upon.

Hotels and bars

A bartender prepares a drink in a restaurant in thecruise ship MSC World Europa, a floating hotel docked at Doha Port to offer accommodate for around 6,700 World Cup fans in Qatar (Picture: AP)

It will be safe – and legal – to drink in your hotel if it’s done it’s due diligence!

Alcohol is served in hotels, restaurants and bars that have licenses in Qatar. It is illegal to consume it elsewhere.

The legal drinking age is 21, and bouncers at bars often ask for photo ID or passports upon entry – so make sure you have either of these if in attendance at the World Cup.

But remember, boozing won’t be a cheap affair.

According to a study of 195 countries, Qatar’s average pint costs £9.98, more than double the UK’s price of £4.07.

In comparison, Fans who went to the 2019 Fifa Club World Cup in Qatar, which Liverpool won, could buy a beer for £5 in the official areas.

Drinks at home

Staying at home to follow the Three Lions? (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Due to difficulty footie fans will face in Qatar, many booze companies are trying to appeal to stay-at-home fans instead.

Tee-total football superstar Gareth Bale, who has become part-owner of a whisky distillery, hopes fans will raise a glass of the strong stuff in the World Cup.

The superfit player has become a shareholder of Penderyn Distillery which makes the spirit in the Welsh hills.

Bale, 33, said: ‘Penderyn single-handedly revived whisky production in Wales and have become an international success story because of their passion for the product and commitment to quality. It’s hugely satisfying to be able to play my part in their continued success.’

Health conscious Gareth, a tee-total vegan, has previously said he ‘doesn’t like the taste’ of alcohol but said he was happy to work on the alcohol project.

The Los Angeles and Wales star has already launched his own range of ‘Bale Ale’ beers to be sold in supermarkets – despite being tee-total.

The Bale Ale range will be sold in Tesco ahead of the World Cup in Qatar for stay-at-home fans put off by the no-alcohol rule in the Middle East state.

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Spoiler alert: it won’t be easy.