Alcohol is set to be prohibited from FIFA World Cup 2034 in Saudi Arabia: Reports

In a recent interview on LBC, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, the Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United Kingdom, announced that there will be a prohibition on alcohol during the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that alcohol will not be sold at any location throughout the tournament, including hotels. This decision can be seen going hand in hand with Saudi Arabia's cultural values. FIFA has officially confirmed that Saudi Arabia will be hosting the men’s World Cup in 2034.

Saudi Arabian ambassador breaks the news 

When asked if this meant that fans would be allowed to drink upon their return to their hotels, similar to arrangements made during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he clarified that there would be no availability of alcohol whatsoever. He emphasized that the country is open to welcoming fans from diverse cultures while maintaining its own cultural integrity.

"At the moment, we don't allow alcohol, Plenty of fun can be had without alcohol - it's not 100% necessary and if you want to drink after you leave, you're welcome to, but at the moment we don't have alcohol," he said.

The question of whether fans would have the opportunity to purchase alcohol emerged before the recent World Cup in Qatar, another Muslim nation where the sale of alcohol is tightly regulated.

"Rather like our weather, it's a dry country. Everyone has their own culture. We're happy to accommodate people within the boundaries of our culture but we don't want to change our culture for someone else."

The decision to sell alcohol in stadiums was reconsidered just two days before the competition began in Qatar, but fans still had the opportunity to enjoy drinks at designated fan zones and hotel bars. 

Additionally, while same-sex relations remain illegal in Saudi Arabia and transgender recognition is not provided, Prince Khalid emphasized the club's commitment to inclusivity, stating that everyone is welcome in Saudi Arabia.

"It is not a Saudi event, it is a world event and, to a large extent, we will welcome everyone who wants to come," he concluded.

Saudi Arabia has been allegedly sportswashing, using its massive investments in sports to enhance its international image and divert attention from its troubling human rights records.