2034 World Cup – Saudi Arabia make public whether fans will be able to drink alcohol or not | OneFootball

As most of you will be aware, the 2034 World Cup finals are to be held in Saudi Arabia.

This decision made hot on the heels of Qatar having hosted in 2022.

Saudi Arabia somehow ending up as the only country bidding for the 2034 World Cup…

One big talking point ahead of the Qatar tournament, was whether visiting fans would be able to buy alcohol.

As it turned out, fans weren’t able to buy alcohol at the stadiums, apart from those ‘fans’ in expensive hospitality areas. However, away from matches, fans could buy alcohol from certain hotels and other outlets.

The Saudi Arabia ambassador to the UK has now revealed his country’s decision for the 2034 World Cup finals.

That decision (see below) is that no alcohol will be available anywhere.

The Times report – 12 February 2025:

Fans who travel to the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia will not be able to buy beer there, the country’s ambassador to the UK has confirmed.

Beer was not sold at stadiums at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar but supporters were able to buy alcohol from selected hotels and other outlets. That will not be the case in Saudi Arabia, however, where the sale of alcohol is prohibited and penalties for consumption include jail, flogging and deportation.

The ambassador, Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, was asked on LBC if, at the 2034 World Cup, fans would be able to buy alcohol anywhere during the tournament.

He replied: “No, no. There’s no alcohol at all. Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country.

“At the moment we don’t allow alcohol, but you know, plenty of fun can be had without alcohol. It’s not 100 per cent necessary. And you know, if you want to drink when you leave, after you leave, you’re welcome to. But at the moment, we don’t have alcohol.