BY: Mustapha Lawal
Claim:
Saudi Arabia will allow the sale of alcohol at luxury hotels and tourist destinations during the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
Verdict:
False! Saudi officials have publicly denied any plans to relax the kingdom’s long-standing ban on alcohol in preparation for the 2034 tournament.
Full Text:
Following Saudi Arabia’s successful bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup, rumours began circulating that the kingdom would lift its decades-old alcohol ban for the tournament. According to several social media posts and international media reports, beer and wine were to be made available at five-star hotels, luxury resorts, and high-end tourist sites during the global sporting event.
Some reports cited unnamed “government sources” claiming this would be part of a broader economic diversification strategy, aimed at competing with more liberal Gulf states like Dubai and Bahrain, and boosting Saudi Arabia’s appeal to international tourists.
The story gained more attention after it was reportedly published on a niche wine blog and quickly picked up by mainstream media and social commentators. Many argued the move would mark a major shift in the ultra-conservative kingdom’s stance on alcohol, which has remained prohibited under its strict interpretation of Islamic law.
But does the claim hold water? FactCheckAfrica investigated.
Verification:
FactCheckAfrica checked the claim using MyAIFactChecker and found multiple sources of the claim. The tool result showed that there are conflicting reports from various sources, with some suggesting that Saudi Arabia will lift its 73-year-old ban on alcohol sales and consumption in select tourist zones and hospitality areas, while others deny such plans.
Some sources, such as Times of India and The Economic Times, report that Saudi Arabia will allow alcohol sales in upscale venues like hotels and resorts as part of its Vision 2030. However, other sources, including Daily Mail and The Telegraph, quote Saudi officials denying any plans to relax alcohol laws for the 2034 FIFA World Cup
Furthermore, we found No official policy change. The Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media issued a clear denial, stating that no decision has been made to lift the alcohol ban for the World Cup or at any tourist sites. A government official, speaking to Reuters and other trusted outlets on Monday, reiterated that “alcohol remains prohibited” and that the World Cup would be held “in full compliance with Saudi laws and cultural norms.”
Saudi Arabia, under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 reform agenda, has eased some social restrictions, including allowing women to drive, reopening cinemas, and opening up the entertainment sector. However, alcohol remains strictly banned for both Muslims and non-Muslims, and violations are punishable by law.
FactCheckAfrica found that in early 2024, on a diplomatic-only access, the kingdom opened its first alcohol shop in Riyadh, but this was exclusively for non-Muslim diplomats, under tightly regulated conditions. The shop’s opening was part of a bid to regulate and monitor alcohol access through diplomatic channels, not a signal of a public policy shift.
We also found previous statements that confirm the current stance. Prince Khalid bin Bandar Al Saud, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the UK, addressed the question of alcohol during an interview in February 2024.
He stated unequivocally: “Rather like our weather, it’s a dry country… We don’t want to change our culture for someone else.”
This echoes the stance taken by Qatar during the 2022 World Cup. Although Qatar initially agreed to permit limited alcohol sales at stadiums, it reversed the decision days before kickoff, citing cultural sensitivities.
The origin of the rumour appears to be a small wine blog, with no ties to official Saudi government sources. Despite the claim going viral, there has been no confirmation from any Saudi ministry or World Cup organising body that alcohol will be served at the 2034 tournament.
Conclusion:
The claim that Saudi Arabia will lift its alcohol ban during the 2034 FIFA World Cup is false. The government has firmly denied the rumour, and there is no credible evidence to support the claim. While the kingdom continues to reform in various sectors, alcohol remains a culturally and religiously sensitive issue. The World Cup will be hosted within the existing framework of Saudi law, and alcohol will not be publicly available during the tournament.
