~snip~
As strict as the rules are in Qatar, I believe that foreigners who are arrested for drinking or kissing in public are likely to have their prison sentences converted into a fine.
Obviously it won't be a cheap fine, because Qatar needs to impose that respect, but I believe that there will be this flexibility for those who are foreigners.
Of course, it all depends on the "damage" that the person commits... in the case of being absurdly drunk or parading naked through the streets, it should result in much bigger problems than a simple fine.
I'm not sure, specially after reading this case:
A Mexican woman reported an assault in Qatar. She faces jail, 100 lashes.
"Although I had the forensic evidence of the beatings and everything, they believed him," Paola Schietekat said about the incident, which has made international headlines.
This World Cup is very important for Qatar, as a big promotion of their country in the world, and for political and tourist reasons I believe they will not strictly enforce their strict laws on alcohol or kissing in public, at least while the World Cup lasts.
After all, how many policemen would Qatar need to have if it could control thousands of foreign fans who will come to the country, and personally check every fan, what they drink or do in public. That would be mission impossible.
Do you really think that their police will monitor what men and women do and punish them for kissing, hugging or having sex with each other with lashes and imprisonment?
Such a thing would cause a big world scandal and probably some national teams would refuse to play in the World Cup, and because of this, Qatar will temporarily relax the enforcement of its strict laws until the World Cup is over.