In the country’s capital of Doha, 50km to the south, the streets were largely quiet, although there were chaotic scenes both inside and outside the fan festival at Al Bidda Park an hour before kick-off after organisers allowed too many fans to flood the precinct. In another controversy, Qatar banned the sale of beer in stadiums on Friday in a stunning about-face, meaning many of Doha’s bars and nightclubs – one of the rare places fans can get alcohol – were packed with crowds and had their tables fully booked on Sunday as the tournament kicked off.
