Saudi Arabia DENIES it will allow alcohol sale at 600 sites across the nation in preparation for 2034 world cup
Saudi Arabia has pushed back on a report claiming the Muslim majority country would partially lift its ban on alcohol in preparation for the 2034 World Cup.
An official today was pressed to deny that Riyadh was planning to relax its 73-year ban on alcohol after a report to the contrary passed through foreign media.
The initial report appeared on a wine blog last week and said that Saudi authorities were planning to allow the controlled sale of alcohol ahead of the World Cup.
There were whispers that authorities were open to selling wine, beer and cider at licensed venues, while maintaining a ban on drinks with greater than 20% ABV.
Booze would remain banned in public, homes, shops, and fan zones, per the report.
International media cited a purportedly official statement that said the aim was 'to welcome the world without losing cultural identity'.
It did not give a source for the information. But it was enough to spark vigorous debate inside Saudi Arabia about the kingdom's direction.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is pushing a series of reforms to open up the country for tourism and business, and opened an alcohol store in Riyadh last year.
The shop, the first of its kind, served non-Muslim diplomats exclusively. Prior to that, alcohol was available only through diplomatic mail or on the black market.
Reports of a pivot appeared came abruptly. The Saudi government had said previously that it had no intentions of lifting the ban.
While officials were quick to shoot down the claims that alcohol rules would be relaxed for the tournament, the impact has already been felt.
Several global hotel chains are already tweaking their blueprints to accommodate alcohol zones.
Initial reports had said the kingdom could expect to see such venues introduced by 2026 - eight years before the World Cup kicks off.
Offering alcohol to foreign attendees would be particularly controversial in the spiritual 'home of Islam'.
In its bid to attract Western guests, the government has already relaxed rules on hosting female performers - but this too had proven controversial inside the country.
The Saudi ambassador to the UK had previously said alcohol would be banned when they host the World Cup in 2034, sparking fury among England fans.
Initial reports had said the kingdom could expect to see such venues introduced by 2026 - eight years before the World Cup kicks off (Dubai pictured)
Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud told LBC radio in February: 'There is no alcohol at all. 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.
'It is not a Saudi event, it is a world event and, to a large extent, we will welcome everyone who wants to come.'
This struck down suggestions that Saudi Arabia would follow in the footsteps of Qatar, another Muslim country, when they hosted the football tournament in 2022.
Supporters there were able to buy alcohol from selected hotels, but not at the stadiums.
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