• Saudi Arabia, confirmed as the sole host for the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup, will ban alcohol sales completely during the event per Shari’ah law. On LBC.
• On LBC, Ambassador HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud explained that this policy reflects Saudi cultural values and welcomed all visitors.
In December of last year, it was announced that Saudi Arabia would not permit the sale of alcohol during the FIFA 2034 World Cup. Many in the West, however, assumed that Saudi Arabia was merely following the precedent set by Qatar during the previous World Cup in 2022.
Yesterday during his LBC broadcast, Nick Ferrari was joined by Saudi Ambassador to the UK HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud. During the segment, the Ambassador clarified the situation by jesting about how the dryness would be equivalent to the weather of Saudi Arabia. Ferrari responded, “Is that welcoming?”. “We don’t want to change our culture for someone else”, the Ambassador said as a part of his reply.
Prince Khalid emphasised that Saudi Arabia would welcome all visitors.
“It is not a Saudi event, it is a world event,” he stated. “To a large extent, we will welcome everyone who wants to come”.
Saudi Arabia strictly prohibits alcohol consumption in accordance with Shari’ah law, which regards it as harmful to both individuals and society. The Kingdom imposes harsh penalties for alcohol-related offenses, including fines, imprisonment, and deportation for foreigners who violate the law.
In December 2024, FIFA officially named Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 FIFA Men’s World Cup, following an uncontested bidding process in which Saudi Arabia was the sole candidate. The tournament will take place across 15 stadiums in five host cities: Riyadh, Jeddah, Al Khobar, Abha, and NEOM. Each city will feature two FIFA Fan Festival sites, showcasing Saudi Arabia’s culture and hospitality alongside the football festivities.
Saudi Arabia’s deep-rooted passion for football and its strategic efforts to enhance the sport’s prominence both domestically and internationally will certainly be showcased.
Detractors, however, have accused the Kingdom of “sportswashing,” using the tournament to enhance its global image despite ongoing Human Rights issues. In response, Saudi officials have emphasised their vision for the World Cup to serve as a catalyst for positive change, aiming to advance football development, modernise infrastructure, and promote broader social progress within the country.
