Organizers of the 2026 FIFA World Cup made a jarring announcement on Friday: no beer.

Just two days before the tournament begins, FIFA revealed that no beer will be available at and around the eight stadiums in Qatar. The host country was originally allowing beer despite its tight alcohol policies.

“Following discussions between host country authorities and FIFA, a decision has been made to focus on the sale of alcoholic beverages on the FIFA Fan Festival, other fan destinations, and licensed venues,” a FIFA statement reads.

Budweiser, the tournament’s exclusive beer sponsor, will continue to sell its alcohol-free Bud Zero product.

• Budweiser’s deal is reportedly worth $75 million for every World Cup cycle. The company has been a World Cup sponsor since 1986.
• There had already been reported tension between Budweiser and FIFA about how to get supplies into Qatar. 

Alcoholic beer will still be allowed after 6:30 p.m. in specific permitted fan zones in the country, and there will still be zones for intoxicated fans to sober up.

The announcement comes days after demands — reportedly from the country’s royal family — to move beer tents to more obscure locations. An official told the New York Times that the governing body agreed to it amid concerns of full tent shutdowns.

Luxury Living

There is one exception to the rule.

An official FIFA Champagne, beer, and other drinks — including wines — will reportedly be available in stadium luxury suites reserved for FIFA officials and wealthy guests.

The Washington Commanders were hit with their second lawsuit in as many weeks, although legal experts told Front Office Sports that neither civil complaint should hold up an expected sale of the franchise. 

The consumer protection lawsuit filed on Thursday by District of Columbia Attorney General Karl Racine alleges the team ran a “decades-long unlawful scheme” to hold back thousands worth of ticket deposits. 

The same office sued the Commanders — along with owner Dan Snyder, the NFL, and commissioner Roger Goodell — on Nov. 19 over allegations that they made efforts to impede hostile workplace investigations of the team. 

There are other ongoing investigations. 

• The House Oversight Committee is expected to issue its final findings by year’s end. Rep. James Comer, who is in line to take over the committee, told FOS in a statement the investigation is ”over” when Republicans take over the House in January. 
• Former SEC chair Mary Jo White, who is leading the second outside investigation into the team, has yet to issue her report. 
• Maryland reached a settlement with the Commanders on Friday, but probes by Virginia and the Department of Justice remain ongoing.

Why It Won’t Likely Hinder Sale

“Any buyer will resolve all outstanding lawsuits and investigations before closing,” said attorney Howard Gutman, a former U.S. Ambassador to Belgium, adding that “$7 billion has the ability to fix lots of things.”

Sports attorney Daniel Wallach agreed: “Even if it’s millions, which won’t happen, a multi-billion-dollar franchise sale means that neither side will sweat the exposure.”

The oldest major professional sports league in America is the latest entity to cut ties with embattled cryptocurrency exchange FTX.

Major League Baseball confirmed Thursday it has terminated its five-year sponsorship deal with FTX  after the exchange — along with more than 130 affiliated companies — filed for bankruptcy last week. 

• MLB and FTX agreed to the deal in 2021, making FTX the league’s official exchange.
• The league’s umpires had worn an FTX patch on their shirts from July 2021 through this year. 

FTX’s bankruptcy has spurred the collapse of several sports-related deals. 

Earlier this week, the Miami Heat and Miami-Dade County terminated a 19-year, $135 million naming rights deal with FTX secured in March 2021. The contract between the team, county, and FTX requires the exchange to pay $16.5 million if it faces an “insolvency event.” 

The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team suspended its sponsorship deal with FTX, and Cal suspended its naming rights deal for the football field at California Memorial Stadium. 

Cal was in the midst of a 10-year, $17.5 million deal with FTX that was to be paid in crypto. 

Esports organization TSM — the most valuable esports company in 2022 at $540 million — has also decided to suspend its 10-year, $210 million naming rights deal with FTX. 

Legal Woes 

A consortium of investors has sued FTX founder Sam Bankman-Fried and several high-profile athletes who promoted the exchange.

Included in the $11 billion class-action suit are seven-time Super Bowl champ Tom Brady, NBA star Steph Curry, and others.