Saudi Arabia to prohibit the sale of alcohol at the FIFA 2034 World Championships

When FIFA granted Qatar the right to the host for the World Championships in 2022, she was considered the peak of corruption of the management body. In the end, FIFA missed violations of human rights, extreme weather and bribery scandal so that the tournament would go forward as planned.

Well, never underestimate FIFA’s ability to achieve new minima.

In the obvious trick to bypass normal hosting rotations, FIFA was able to grant Saudi Arabia in 2034 hosting law, placing parts of the World Cup 2030 on three continents. We have been nine years since these games in Saudi Arabia, and a nation rich in oil with a terrible human rights record already attracts hard lines about experience in the tournament: alcohol sales will not be allowed at all. Anywhere in the country.

Asked if Saudi Arabia would make exceptions similar to how Qatar dealt with the sale of alcohol in 2022, said the Ambassador of Saudi Arabia in the British Prince Khalid Bin BBC:

“No, there is no alcohol at all.

“Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country. Everyone has their own culture. We are pleased to include people within our culture, but we do not want to change our culture for someone else. “

Qatar initially said that it would allow the sale of beer in matches Withdrawal from this contract Two days before the tournament. However, this allowed the sale of alcohol in hotels and designated fans. The full ban on selling alcohol Saudi Arabia is a huge departure from this and almost certainly will become a problem with FIFA sponsors.

Despite the main problems in Qatar, AB Inbev renewed a contract with FIFA for the World Championships in 2026. But considering what Saudi Arabia is already talking about the sale of alcohol, it is difficult to see that the partnership lasts until 2034.