In a recent announcement, Saudi Arabia has declared that the 2034 FIFA World Cup will be an alcohol-free event, a decision that aligns with the country's cultural and religious values. Speaking on LBC, Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, the Saudi ambassador to the United Kingdom, emphasized that alcohol will not be sold anywhere during the tournament, including hotels.

"At the moment, we don't allow alcohol," said Prince Khalid. "Plenty of fun can be had without alcohol—it's not 100% necessary. If you want to drink after you leave, you're welcome to, but at the moment, we don't have alcohol."

When asked if fans could drink in their hotels, similar to the arrangements during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Prince Khalid clarified: "No, there is no alcohol at all. Rather like our weather, it's a dry country."

The decision reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to maintaining its cultural identity while hosting a global event. "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," he added.

Comparisons with Qatar 2022

This mirrors the situation during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, another Muslim country where alcohol sales were strictly regulated. Initially, alcohol was set to be sold in stadiums, but the decision was reversed two days before the tournament began. Fans could only purchase alcohol in designated fan zones and hotel bars.

Broader Implications

Saudi Arabia has faced criticism in recent years for 'sportswashing'—using its vast financial resources to invest in sports to improve its international reputation amid concerns over human rights and environmental issues. Amnesty International has warned that hosting the World Cup in Saudi Arabia could lead to severe and widespread human rights violations.

Despite these concerns, Prince Khalid assured that everyone would be welcome in Saudi Arabia for the event. "It is not a Saudi event; it is a world event. To a large extent, we will welcome everyone who wants to come," he stated.

Cultural Sensitivity and Global Expectations

This decision highlights the ongoing tension between cultural preservation and global expectations in hosting international events. Saudi Arabia's stance on alcohol and LGBTQ+ rights—where same-sex relations are illegal and transgender identities are not recognized—will likely remain a point of discussion as the tournament approaches.