Sports
No Alcohol to Be Served at 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia
The 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia will be completely alcohol-free, the country’s ambassador to the United Kingdom has confirmed.
Speaking in an interview with LBC, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud made it clear that alcohol sales would be prohibited throughout the tournament, including in hotels.
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“At the moment, we don’t allow alcohol,” Prince Khalid stated. “Plenty of fun can be had without it—it’s not 100% necessary. If you want to drink after you leave, you’re welcome to, but for now, alcohol is not available in Saudi Arabia.”
When asked whether international fans would be permitted to drink in their hotels, similar to the arrangements made during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the ambassador was firm in his response: “No, there is no alcohol at all. Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country.”
He also emphasized that Saudi Arabia would not be altering its cultural norms to accommodate visitors. “Every country has its own culture. We’re happy to welcome people within the boundaries of our culture, but we don’t want to change our culture for someone else.”
FIFA has officially awarded hosting rights for the 2034 men’s World Cup to Saudi Arabia, marking another significant step in the kingdom’s ambitious push into global sports.
Niger alcohol ban
The issue of alcohol availability has been a topic of debate in previous tournaments held in conservative Muslim countries. During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, initial plans to sell alcohol at stadiums were scrapped just two days before the opening match. However, fans were still able to purchase alcohol in designated fan zones and hotel bars—an option that will not be available in Saudi Arabia.
Beyond alcohol restrictions, concerns remain about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. Same-sex relationships remain illegal in the country, and transgender identities are not officially recognized. However, Prince Khalid insisted that all visitors would be welcome at the World Cup.
“This is not just a Saudi event—it’s a world event, and we will welcome everyone who wants to come,” he said.
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Saudi Arabia’s rapid expansion into the world of sports, including hosting high-profile boxing matches, investing heavily in football, and forming the lucrative LIV Golf series, has led to accusations of “sportswashing”—using sports to distract from criticism over human rights issues and environmental concerns.
Amnesty International has warned that holding the World Cup in Saudi Arabia could lead to severe and widespread rights violations, urging FIFA to take responsibility for ensuring protections for workers, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other marginalized groups.
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