By Abdullahi Yusuf

Saudi Arabia has confirmed that alcohol will not be sold at the 2034 FIFA World Cup, which the Kingdom will host across five cities.

Speaking to British digital radio station LBC News on Thursday, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UK, Prince Khalid bin Bandar bin Sultan, emphasized the country’s stance on alcohol.

“Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country. At the moment, we don’t allow alcohol, but plenty of fun can be had without it. It’s not 100% necessary,” he said.

He further added, “If you want to drink after you leave, you’re welcome to, but at the moment, we don’t have alcohol.”

Prince Khalid stressed that Saudi Arabia welcomes visitors but will not alter its cultural norms. “We are happy to accommodate people within our boundaries, but we are not willing to change our culture for others,” he stated.

Last December, FIFA officially confirmed Saudi Arabia as the host of the 2034 men’s FIFA World Cup, making it the second Middle Eastern nation to host the prestigious tournament after Qatar in 2022.

The tournament will occur across 15 stadiums in Riyadh, Jeddah, Khobar, Abha, and NEOM.

Additionally, the 2034 World Cup will be historic as it will feature 48 teams for the first time, expanding the competition’s format. — Agencies