Saudi Arabia will not allow alcohol at the 2034 World Cup, said Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, the country’s ambassador to the UK.
FIFA officially named Saudi Arabia as the 2034 World Cup host in December. The country has banned alcohol since 1952 because it is forbidden in Islam.
During the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, alcohol was not sold in stadiums, but fans could buy beer in special zones and some hotels. However, Saudi Arabia will not allow alcohol anywhere during the tournament.
“Plenty of fun can be had without alcohol – it’s not 100 percent necessary,” Khalid bin Bandar told LBC radio on Wednesday. “If you want to drink after you leave, you’re welcome to, but at the moment we don’t have alcohol.”
He added, “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.”
In 2023, Saudi Arabia opened its first alcohol shop in Riyadh’s Diplomatic Quarter to prevent illegal sales. The store is only for non-Muslim diplomats, who need special ID to buy alcohol.
SPORTSWASHING
Saudi Arabia has spent a lot of money on sports through its Public Investment Fund (PIF). The PIF owns English club Newcastle United and started the LIV Golf tour to compete with the PGA Tour.
Critics say Saudi Arabia is using sports to improve its global image and hide its human rights issues. Women’s rights groups and LGBTQ activists have raised concerns.
When asked if LGBTQ fans would be safe at the World Cup, the ambassador said, “We will welcome everyone in Saudi. It is not a Saudi event, it is a world event. And to a large extent, we will welcome everyone who wants to come.”
Hammad Albalawi, head of Saudi Arabia’s World Cup bid unit, said in September that LGBTQ fans would be welcome and their privacy respected. He noted that millions of people have already traveled to Saudi for sports events.
Saudi Arabia does not have LGBTQ rights groups, and its laws do not clearly state punishments for same-sex relationships. However, Amnesty International says people can face the death penalty for engaging in same-sex acts.
MIGRANT WORKERS
Saudi Arabia has promised to build or upgrade 15 stadiums by 2032, mostly using migrant labor.
Amnesty International and the Sport & Rights Alliance warned in November that hosting the World Cup in Saudi Arabia could lead to serious human rights issues.
“Fans will face discrimination… migrant workers will face exploitation, and many will die,” said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty’s head of labor rights and sport.
Saudi Arabia does not allow labor unions and follows the “kafala” system, where foreign workers must be sponsored by an employer. The country has denied human rights abuse accusations and says its laws protect national security.
Also Read: Saints Re-Sign RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire for One Year