Eye-watering World Cup drinks prices have been revealed, with football fans paying up to £80 (A$140) per pint.

Between 3,000 and 4,000 England fans are expected to travel to Qatar for the World Cup group stages, and thousands more are set to follow if Gareth Southgate’s side reaches the knockout stages.

Unlike relatively-relaxed Dubai some 200 miles away, Qatar has tougher restrictions on who can buy alcohol and where – limiting most purchases to restaurants and high-end hotels. But some sports bars have been accused of exploiting visitors by charging fans up to £240 (A$425) each to watch the World Cup semi-finals and finals.

The stunning price includes a three-drink voucher for bottles of Budweiser or Corona or a glass of house wine – working out at around A$140 a drink.

Drinks giant Anheuser-Busch InBev Worldwide – which owns many of the world’s most popular beer brands including Becks, Budweiser, Corona and Stella Artois – are even training up to 6,000 workers in Qatar to be able to pour a pint properly.

Public drunkenness is technically illegal and those found guilty face up to six months’ jail time and a fine of 3,000 riyals, or around A$1,240. However, in reality, Qatari officials often turn a blind eye to expats getting drunk, as long as they stay within the restaurants and hotels.

And spaces will be created to “sober up” drunk supporters.

Qatar’s World Cup chief executive, Nasser Al Khater said: “There are plans in place for people to sober up if they’ve been drinking excessively.

“It’s a place to make sure that they keep themselves safe, they’re not harmful to anybody else.”

Fans also can’t bring any booze into the country, and authorities will confiscate any alcohol in travellers’ luggage and there are also strict laws on drugs. Any fans caught smuggling cocaine into the country could face the death penalty.

The tournament kicks off on November 20 as host nation Qatar takes on Ecuador.

This article originally appeared on thesun.co.uk. It has been reproduced here with permission.

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