Dry in the desert: Alcohol to be banned Saudi Arabia Fifa World Cup

Wednesday 12 February 2025 3:39 pm
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Wednesday 12 February 2025 3:40 pm

Alcohol is not going to be allowed on the 2034 Fifa World Cup in Saudi Arabia, the dominion’s ambassador stated on Wednesday.

Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud stated that “there’s no alcohol in any respect” within the nation, including that there wouldn’t be an exemption for the World Cup, which Saudi Arabia gained final 12 months.

The ambassador added, jokingly: “I imply, actually? You’ll be able to’t dwell with no drink?”

It comes after sponsor Budweiser was banned from promoting beer on the Qatar 2022 World Cup, besides in hospitality, simply 48 hours earlier than the primary recreation.

Saudi Arabia a dry nation

“In the meanwhile, we don’t enable alcohol,” Al Saud instructed LBC on Wednesday.

“Loads of enjoyable will be had with out alcohol – it’s not 100 per cent vital and if you wish to drink after you permit, you’re welcome to, however in the intervening time we don’t have alcohol.”

He added: “Relatively like our climate, it’s a dry nation.

“Everybody has their very own tradition. We’re joyful to accommodate folks throughout the boundaries of our tradition however we don’t need to change our tradition for another person.”

Olympics the purpose?

As revealed by Metropolis AM earlier this month, Saudi Arabia is getting ready to bid for the 2036 or 2040 Olympic Video games. 

It is going to due to this fact be assumed that alcohol shall be banned at this occasion too, as it’s going to on the 2027 Asian Cup, the 2029 Asian Winter Video games and the 2034 Asian Video games.

“We have now come a great distance and there’s nonetheless an extended solution to go,” Al Saud added when defending the dominion’s gradual liberalisation. 

“Our precept is to develop one thing that’s proper for us. Our journey began in 2016, not due to the World Cup bid.

“We’ve launched initiatives granting staff the liberty to maneuver between employers.

“Paperwork of those staff at the moment are uploaded into authorities methods, making certain they’ve rights inside their contracts.”