CLAIM: Reports claim Saudi Arabia will legalize alcohol sales and consumption in preparation for hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
VERDICT: False. Saudi officials confirmed this week that no plans exist to legalize alcohol.
Rumors circulated in global media this weekend, claiming Saudi Arabia would soon lift its 73-year ban on alcohol. The claims suggested that the move was intended to accommodate soccer fans during the 2034 World Cup. However, Saudi officials have publicly rejected these reports, confirming that the alcohol ban remains in place.
The original claims, including one by India’s Economic Times, were traced back to a wine blog, according to Reuters. No official source or evidence supported the story. Saudi officials told media outlets that the reports “do not reflect existing policies or regulations.” They emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s tourism strategy focuses on offering a culturally immersive, family-friendly experience—not on legalizing alcohol.
The rumors sparked debate in the Kingdom, where the King holds the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques in Mecca and Medina, Islam’s holiest sites. Saudi law, based on Islamic sharia, forbids alcohol as haram.
Saudi Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz Bin Turki al-Faisal addressed the issue in a January interview, suggesting that while some fans might expect alcohol, the Kingdom sees its ban as part of creating a safe, family-oriented event. Saudi Arabia, like Qatar during the 2022 World Cup, plans to host without alcohol.
Saudi Arabia’s alcohol ban is not likely to change. The Kingdom has made no official announcement, and previous reports about Qatar allowing alcohol during the 2022 World Cup also turned out to be false. FIFA canceled its beer contract in Qatar, leaving fans chanting for beer in frustration.
