~snip~
The problem with Qatar was that initially they announced that alcohol will be permitted inside the stadium for a limited duration. But then two days before the kickoff, they changed the rule and told that alcohol will be strictly prohibited except for those who hold the most expensive tier tickets. The fans who booked their tickets many weeks ago felt cheated and by then it was too late to cancel their travel plans. Budweiser was one of the sponsors for this event, and they also felt deceived as a result of this new restriction.
Ah, that explains why I didn't see people drinking alcohol in the stadium yet read that it was allowed. Only the top tier tickets had access to it. I guess that's how they're used to making things over there, money talks.
Such a shame really, but the world moves on, and now the focus in on the next one.