Fans attending the 2034 FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia will not be able to purchase or consume alcohol at stadiums, hotels, or restaurants, the country’s ambassador to the UK has confirmed.
Unlike the 2022 tournament in Qatar, where alcohol was available in designated areas, including fan zones, before a last-minute stadium ban, Saudi Arabia will make no exceptions to its strict alcohol laws at this stage.
Speaking to LBC, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud reaffirmed Saudi Arabia’s stance.
He said: “Plenty of fun can be had without alcohol – it’s not 100 per cent necessary and if you want to drink after you leave, you’re welcome to, but at the moment we don’t have alcohol. Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country.
"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.”
Read more:
-
Why the new Champions League format has ‘really suited’ Celtic
-
Hearts boss wary of Rangers’ retaliation after Scottish Cup upset
Saudi Arabia’s hosting of the tournament has been met with mass controversy, particularly regarding human rights concerns.
When asked whether LGBTQ+ fans would be safe to attend, Al Saud insisted that the country would be welcoming.
“We will welcome everyone in Saudi,” he insisted.
“It is not a Saudi event, it is a world event. And to a large extent, we will welcome everyone who wants to come.”
