Qatar World Cup: What rules of Islamic nation can put football fans in jail?

If you are flying to Qatar for the FIFA World Cup, it is a must to pack properly.

Many actions that are common in the UK can result in heavy fines or even jail time in the Islamic nation.

Fans of the sport have a reputation for overdoing their celebrations, but they must control their emotions if they don't want to land in trouble.


Let's take a look at the things and habits that visitors will need to put away during the tournament if one is visiting Qatar.

What are the categories of goods that are illegal to bring?

In addition to the obvious, i.e. weapons and drugs, there are four more kinds of commodities that are prohibited from bringing in the country: alcohol, pornography, pig products and books and other religious materials.

E-cigarettes and their liquid counterparts are also prohibited and confiscated.

Bringing alcohol into the country is prohibited, and drinking or being intoxicated in public is against the law. In fact, drinking in public places can result in a six-month jail sentence, a £700 fine, or possibly both.

However, you can still purchase alcohol at bars and restaurants in hotels with specific licences, and foreign nationals living in the nation can do so by obtaining a licence. Still, remember that the legal drinking age in Qatar is 21, not 18, and to never carry alcohol with you.

Obscene behaviours, such as cursing and making disrespectful gestures, are punishable by imprisonment and/or deportation.

Arrests may result from any public intimacy between men and women, including between teenagers.



Having sex outside of marriage is forbidden and is punishable by severe fines, jail time and expulsion. You must present a marriage certificate to the Qatari officials in order to obtain a birth certificate, and they may compare the marriage date to the anticipated conception date.

According to the Foreign Office, visitors will need to wear "modestly" in public. This means that you should avoid wearing shorts or sleeveless tops when visiting government offices, hospitals, or shopping centres.

Financial offences are treated sternly in Qatar. Therefore, if you don't pay your hotel or rental vehicle bill, you risk getting locked up, getting a hefty fine, getting deported, or getting all three. And if you do wind up drinking at one of those authorised bars, be careful not to become too inebriated to remember to pay the bill.

The punishment for smuggling, trafficking, or possessing even residual amounts of drugs is severe and, once again, can include heavy fines, lengthy jail terms and deportation.

Some medications that you can buy over-the-counter in the UK are regarded controlled substances in Qatar, so if you require to take prescription medication, ensure you have the official prescription with you or a note from your doctor.

FAQs:

1. Where was the opening game of 2022 FIFA World Cup?
   The opening match of the 2022 World Cup was hosted at Al-Bayt Stadium in Al-Khor.
2. What are the dates of 2022 FIFA World Cup?
   The FIFA World Cup 2022 will be played from November 20 to December 18.