Followers attending the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia won’t be able to buy or eat alcohol throughout the match, the nation’s ambassador to the UK has confirmed.
Talking in an interview with LBC, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud acknowledged that alcohol gross sales can be fully prohibited, together with in motels.
Following FIFA’s affirmation that Saudi Arabia will host the 2034 males’s World Cup, Prince Khalid made it clear that the nation’s stance on alcohol would stay unchanged.
“In the mean time, we don’t permit alcohol,” he stated.
“Loads of enjoyable may be had with out alcohol – it’s not 100% needed and if you wish to drink after you permit, you’re welcome to, however in the meanwhile we don’t have alcohol.”
When requested whether or not followers can be permitted to drink in lodge bars, as was allowed on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he reiterated: “No, there isn’t any alcohol in any respect. Reasonably like our climate, it’s a dry nation.
“Everybody has their very own tradition. We’re glad to accommodate individuals throughout the boundaries of our tradition however we don’t need to change our tradition for another person.”
The logistics of alcohol on the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia has been confirmed.#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/LXNbLWF63J
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 12, 2025
The query of alcohol availability was a significant subject main as much as the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, one other Muslim-majority nation with strict alcohol laws.
Initially, Qatar had deliberate to permit alcohol gross sales at stadiums, however that call was reversed simply days earlier than the match started. Nevertheless, followers have been nonetheless in a position to buy alcoholic drinks in designated fan zones and choose lodge bars.
Saudi Arabia, nonetheless, seems to be taking a firmer stance by imposing a whole ban on alcohol all through the occasion.
Their stance on human rights has additionally been a topic of worldwide scrutiny, notably regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Identical-sex relationships are unlawful within the nation, and transgender identities aren’t formally recognised. Regardless of this, Prince Khalid assured that everybody can be welcome on the match.
He added: “We’ll welcome everybody in Saudi. It’s not a Saudi occasion, it’s a world occasion and, to a big extent, we are going to welcome everybody who desires to come back.”
Saudi Arabia has confronted allegations of utilizing its rising involvement in world sports activities as a method of “sportswashing” – an effort to enhance its worldwide picture amid considerations over human rights and environmental insurance policies.
The nation has invested closely in sports activities, together with soccer, boxing, and Components 1, elevating questions on its broader intentions.