Riyadh: Football fans have received disappointing news as alcohol will be strictly banned in stadiums during the 2034 World Cup.
The decision follows last week’s announcement that Saudi Arabia will host the tournament in a decade. While FIFA, which granted Saudi Arabia the hosting rights, has yet to release an official statement, sources indicate that fans attending matches will have to go without a pint.
Saudi Arabia has strictly prohibited alcohol since 1952, and its laws remain far more conservative than Qatar, which hosted the 2022 World Cup.
In Qatar, FIFA faced backlash when beer sales were banned just two days before the tournament, costing the organization £40 million in compensation to Budweiser’s parent company, AB InBev.
𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟏, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 🇸🇦
A historic day 🏆#WelcomeToSaudi34 #Saudi34 pic.twitter.com/qIkS2vHn6k
— Saudi Arabian Football Federation (@saudiff_en) December 12, 2024
Despite the setback, AB InBev extended its FIFA sponsorship through 2026 and also signed on for next year’s Club World Cup, seeking clarity on FIFA’s alcohol policies for 2034.
Currently, alcohol in Saudi Arabia is only available at a single shop in Riyadh under strict quotas for non-Muslim diplomats, aimed at curbing illegal sales. FIFA sources emphasize there are no plans to pressure the Saudi government to ease its laws.
Saudi Arabia maintains an exceptionally close relationship with FIFA, providing substantial financial support. State oil company Aramco has committed £320m as part of a four-year sponsorship deal, and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is set to invest in DAZN, a company that paid FIFA £800m for global broadcasting rights to the Club World Cup.
While alcohol sales in stadiums are off the table, FIFA’s position on fan zones and alcohol availability in hotels remains uncertain, with a decade to go before the tournament.
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