Saudi Arabia has confirmed that alcohol will be completely banned at the 2034 FIFA World Cup, with no exceptions for tourists. Unlike the 2022 Qatar World Cup, which allowed alcohol in fan zones and hotels, Saudi officials have made it clear that drinks will not be available anywhere—including stadiums, restaurants, and hotels.
Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UK, stated, “Plenty of fun can be had without alcohol… At the moment, we don’t have alcohol, and we don’t want to change our culture for someone else.” He also dismissed the idea of designated drinking areas, saying, “Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country.”
This announcement has raised concerns among some football fans, as Saudi Arabia has strict penalties for alcohol consumption, including prison time, fines, and deportation. While some hoped for leniency similar to Qatar’s approach, it appears Saudi Arabia will fully enforce its decades-old alcohol ban.
Despite the controversy, the ambassador reassured fans that everyone would be welcome, stating, “It is not a Saudi event, it is a world event.” With nine years until the tournament, policies could still change, but for now, the 2034 World Cup is set to be entirely alcohol-free.
