Saudi Arabia has officially banned alcohol consumption during the 2034 FIFA World Cup, making it clear that the global sporting event will strictly adhere to the country’s cultural and legal framework.
Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to the United Kingdom, confirmed in an interview with LBC that alcohol would not be available anywhere during the tournament, including hotels. FIFA had previously announced Saudi Arabia as the official host for the men’s World Cup in 2034, sparking widespread discussions on how the conservative nation will handle international fan expectations.
“At the moment, we don’t allow alcohol,” Prince Khalid stated. “Plenty of fun can be had without alcohol—it’s not 100% necessary. If you want to drink after you leave, you’re welcome to, but at the moment, we don’t have alcohol.”
When pressed on whether fans would be able to drink in their hotels, similar to Qatar’s 2022 World Cup policy, he was firm: “No, there is no alcohol at all. Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country.”
The decision is expected to be a major talking point leading up to the tournament. Qatar, another Muslim-majority country, faced similar scrutiny over alcohol sales during the 2022 World Cup. Initially, alcohol was set to be available in stadiums, but the decision was reversed just days before kickoff, limiting sales to designated fan zones and hotel bars.
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Beyond alcohol restrictions, Saudi Arabia’s human rights record remains a controversial subject. Same-sex relationships remain illegal, and transgender identities are not officially recognized in the country. However, Prince Khalid emphasized that the tournament is a global event and that all visitors would be welcomed.
“It is not a Saudi event; it is a world event. To a large extent, we will welcome everyone who wants to come,” he said.
Saudi Arabia has been accused of ‘sportswashing’—using high-profile sporting events to improve its international image despite criticism over human rights violations and environmental concerns. Amnesty International has warned that hosting the World Cup in Saudi Arabia could lead to severe and widespread rights abuses.
With alcohol bans, cultural restrictions, and global scrutiny, the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia is shaping up to be one of the most controversial tournaments in history.