So, if Qatar has done a volte face regarding selling alcohol in and around stadiums, there is only one solution...
The sponsors will (and should) demand immediate and full repayment of any monies spent on promoting their product for the competition as the contract has not been honoured.
As the competition event can no longer meet the specification agreed when Qatar bid for/accepted the nomination, then the teams should all pull out of the competition finals stage - which should be reconvened at a time in the future in a location where the specification can be met in full for all parties concerned - importantly including sponsors, fans etc (for, like it or not, these are an essential part of the event). There have been precedents such as occurred during the pandemic for example.


Do FIFA and the participating nations have the backbone to do so? Actions will speak louder than words - but if the event proceeds under this last minute restriction imposed by the host nation, then FIFA and the national FAs will all be effectively stating that they do not respect the fans and they do not respect agreements made with sponsors and do not need their financial input at any time in the future.

(NB - I have deliberately not included any comments regarding human rights issues (although this is a very important political issue and should be, or should have been, considered separately from this particular aspect of the finals event. The political issues were not part of the specification agreed).)