It has been confirmed by Saudi Arabia that alcohol will be strictly prohibited at the 2034 FIFA World Cup, with no sales allowed in hotels or anywhere else during the competition.
Prince Khalid Bin Bandar Bin Sultan Al Saud, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia to the UK, told British radio station LBC News that the country had no intention of altering its alcohol regulations for the occasion.
It is an arid nation, much like our own. We don’t currently permit alcohol, but you can still have a great time without it. It’s not absolutely required,” he clarified.
He made a suggestion that Saudi Arabia would uphold its cultural customs throughout the competition, even though guests are free to drink once they leave the nation.
Prince Khalid stressed that while the nation is open to welcoming tourists within the bounds of its traditions, it will not change its cultural values to appease outsiders.
In December 2024, FIFA formally announced that Saudi Arabia would host the 2034 World Cup, becoming the second Middle Eastern nation to do so after Qatar in 2022.
Fifteen stadiums in five cities—Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and the futuristic metropolis of Neom—will host the competition.
Another noteworthy milestone will be reached in 2034, when the tournament’s structure will be expanded to include 48 teams for the first time.
