Saudi Arabia ambassador to the United Kingdom, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, has confirmed that alcohol will not be available at any venue during the 2034 FIFA World Cup, including hotels.
Speaking in an interview with LBC, Prince Khalid emphasized that the decision aligns with the country’s cultural values.
“At the moment, we don’t allow alcohol. 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 asked whether fans could drink in hotel bars, as was the case during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he was firm in his response:
“No, there is no alcohol at all. Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country.”
Saudi Arabia, a strictly Islamic nation, has laws that prohibit the sale and consumption of alcohol. While Qatar allowed alcohol in designated fan zones and hotel bars during the last World Cup, Saudi Arabia has opted for a stricter policy.
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Prince Khalid stated that the country is open to welcoming visitors but will not compromise on its cultural identity.
“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.”
Another significant concern surrounding Saudi Arabia’s World Cup hosting is its human rights record, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights. Same-sex relationships are illegal, and transgender identities are not recognized in the country.
Despite this, Prince Khalid assured that everyone would be welcome at the tournament.
“It is not a Saudi event, it is a world event, and to a large extent, we will welcome everyone who wants to come.”
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However, human rights organizations remain skeptical. Amnesty International has warned that hosting the tournament in Saudi Arabia could lead to severe and widespread human rights violations, citing concerns over sportswashing—a strategy where nations invest heavily in sports to improve their international image despite ongoing human rights issues.
Source: The Athletic NG
