Fans participating in the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia will not be able to buy or consume alcohol during the tournament, confirmed the country’s ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Speaking in an interview with LBC, Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Al Saud said that alcohol sales would be completely prohibited, including in hotels.
After the FIFA confirmation that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 male World Cup, Prince Khalid clearly indicated that the country’s position on alcohol would remain unchanged.
“For the moment, we are not authorizing alcohol,” he said.
“Lots of fun can be alcohol -free – it is not 100% necessary and if you want to drink after your departure, you are welcome, but for the moment, we have no alcohol.”
When asked if the fans would be allowed to drink in the hotel bars, as was authorized during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he reiterated: “No, there is no All alcohol. Rather like our time, it’s a dry country.
“Everyone has their own culture. We are happy to welcome people within the limits of our culture, but we don’t want to change our culture for someone else. »»
The logistics of alcohol during the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia was confirmed.#Bbcfootball pic.twitter.com/lxnblwf63j
– BBC Sport (@bbcsport) February 12, 2025
The question of the availability of alcohol was a major subject leading to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, another Nation with a Muslim majority with strict alcohol regulations.
Initially, Qatar had planned to authorize alcohol sales in the stadiums, but this decision was canceled just a few days before the tournament start. However, fans were still able to buy alcoholic drinks in designated fans areas and select hotel bars.
Saudi Arabia, however, seems to take a firmer position by applying a complete alcohol ban throughout the event.
Their position on human rights has also been the subject of a global examination, in particular concerning LGBTQ +rights. Homosexual relations are illegal in the country and transgender identities are not officially recognized. Despite this, Prince Khalid assured that everyone would be welcome at the tournament.
He added: “We will welcome everyone to Saudi. It is not a Saudi event, it is a global event and, to a large extent, we will welcome all those who want to come. »»
Saudi Arabia has been faced with allegations to use its growing involvement in world sports as a means of “lava -sport” – an effort to improve its international image in the midst of concerns concerning human rights and environmental policies.
The nation has invested massively in sports, including football, boxing and formula 1, which raises questions about its wider intentions.
