Football
Alcohol Will Be BANNED From All Stadiums At The 2034 FIFA World Cup In Saudi Arabia
Ben Horlock is a sports news and features writer who holds a degree in sports journalism (BA Hons) from Southampton Solent University. Ben has been published across a wide variety of news outlets and websites including HITC, 90min, GiveMeSport, Betfair and Zoo Magazine. As well, Ben has worked in social media for four years in the sports gambling industry. For his sins, Ben is a QPR fan and is a keen follower of all the major European football leagues.
Get to know Ben Horlock betterPublished17 Dec 2024
The Saudi Arabia World Cup will not permit fans to drink alcohol inside any of the stadiums selected for the tournament in 2034.
Saudi Arabia Alcohol Ban 2034 World Cup
FIFA are yet to officially address the issue in public. However, the governing body of association football is expected to make an announcement soon.
According to The Guardian, their sources have implied that there will be ‘no question’ that beer will be banned inside all stadia.
The Middle East nation has extremely strict rulings around the sale, possession and consumption of alcohol after it was banned in 1952. Even luxury hotels and similar establishments are prohibited.
With that said, an exception was made in January of this year. Non-Muslim diplomats were able to purchase alcohol from a shop in Riyadh under the guidance of stringent rules.
Questions lingered at the time whether Saudi Arabia would start to relax their laws on alcohol. This will not be the case and no further exceptions will be made in ten years time.
🚨 Alcohol will be banned from stadiums at the 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia. 🇸🇦🍻
Possessing or consuming alcohol has been punishable by a fine or even expulsion from the country for non-residents since 1952 ❌🏆
(Source: Guardian) pic.twitter.com/si2sRoTu6g
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) December 17, 2024
Saudi Arabia World Cup 2034
After the announcement of Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup hosts on December 11, doubts quickly arose regarding FIFA’s decision to award the Middle East nation the tournament.
This despite the Saudi’s being the only country to place a bid after Australia pulled out. Many are predicting a second-ever winter event will now materialise.
European backlash is expected to be fierce owing to the interruptions it is set to cause to domestic campaigns. However, with sweltering conditions in the summer, it leaves a winter showpiece as the only real outcome.
That is why many – including Premier League chiefs – are unhappy that the extravaganza will be held in the Muslim country. However, the 2022 edition in Qatar was seen as a huge success.
Ahead of the tournament, the best football betting sites in the UK price Spain as the 6/1 favourites. England can be backed at 7/1.