Saudi Arabia Holds Its Ban on Alcohol in 2034 World Cup
Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, the ambassador of Saudi Arabia in the UK, stated that the country will maintain its current prohibition on alcohol during the 2034 World Cup.
FIFA confirmed Saudi Arabia as the host for the 2034 World Cup in December. Alcohol has been banned in Saudi Arabia since 1952, as it is forbidden for observant Muslims.
During the 2022 tournament in neighboring Qatar, alcohol was not sold at stadiums due to public drinking laws, but beer was available in designated fan zones and select hotels.
In recent years, the kingdom has made substantial investments in sports via its Public Investment Fund. This fund has purchased Newcastle United, a Premier League club, and established the LIV Golf tour to compete with the US-based PGA Tour.
Critics, such as women’s rights organizations and individuals from the LGBTQ community, claim it is leveraging the PIF to sportswash its record on human rights.
When asked if gay soccer fans could safely attend the tournament, the ambassador responded: “We will welcome everyone in Saudi. This is not just a Saudi event; it is an event for the whole world. We will, to a great extent, welcome all who wish to come.
In September, Hammad Albalawi, who leads Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid unit, guaranteed that LGBTQ fans would be welcomed and their privacy honored, citing the millions of fans who had come to Saudi for sporting events in recent years.
In Saudi Arabia, there are no public advocacy organizations for LGBTQ individuals. The state law is not formally codified, but Amnesty understands that it allows for the death penalty if a person is found to have engaged in same-sex sexual acts.
The bid book from Saudi Arabia promised the construction of 15 stadiums, either new or refurbished, by 2032. It is understood that these will be completed with the assistance of migrant labor.
Saudi Arabia prohibits labor unions and mandates the “kafala” system for sponsoring foreign workers. The country has denied accusations of human rights abuses multiple times, asserting that it safeguards its national security through legal means.
