Alcohol Ban at 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia Confirmed by Ambassador
Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, the country’s ambassador to the UK, has announced that alcohol will be prohibited at the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. In an interview with LBC, Prince Khalid stated that alcohol will not be available for sale anywhere during the tournament, including hotels. He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s current laws do not allow for the consumption of alcohol and that fans can still enjoy the event without it.
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 asked about the availability of alcohol in hotels, similar to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, he made it clear that there will be no alcohol available at all, highlighting that Saudi Arabia is a dry country.
Respecting Culture and Boundaries
Prince Khalid also stressed that Saudi Arabia respects its culture and does not intend to change it for others. He mentioned, “Everyone has their own culture. We’re happy to accommodate people within the boundaries of our culture.”
What else is not allowed?
Similar to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where alcohol sale was heavily regulated, the question of alcohol availability was raised. Initially, alcohol was planned to be sold in stadiums, but this decision was reversed just days before the tournament. Prince Khalid also assured that despite Saudi Arabia’s conservative laws regarding same-sex relations and transgender recognition, all visitors will be welcomed during the World Cup, emphasizing that the event is a global one, not specific to Saudi Arabia.
Human Rights Concerns
Saudi Arabia has faced criticism over its human rights record, with Amnesty International warning that hosting the World Cup there could lead to widespread rights violations. The country’s hosting of the event has sparked debate and raised concerns about the treatment of individuals and potential violations of human rights during the tournament.
