The FIFA World Cup trophy is displayed on the pitch ahead of the World Cup final between Argentina and France at the Lusail Stadium in Lusail, Qatar. (AP Photo)
Qatar relaxed its alcohol laws for the 2022 World Cup. Even though it was banned from the stadiums, after a U-turn by the ruling family two days before the tournament, foreign citizens could buy from specific stores and drink in waterholes in select hotels in Doha. But it’s unlikely that Saudi Arabia would budge from its stringent alcohol rules for the event in 2034.
Unlike some other countries in the Middle East, Saudi has banned alcohol completely and drinking since 1952, even by foreign citizens. Violation invites fines, imprisonment, public flogging, or deportation for expatriates. Whipping, though, has largely been replaced by jail sentences as part of law reforms.
So when the event was awarded to the country, fans from Europe and America were concerned about the availability of alcohol. While rumours floated around that the country, in a liberalisation drive, would turn more lenient towards the tipplers, a Guardian report claimed that the authorities would offer no leeway. “Fifa sources told the Guardian there were no plans to pressure the Saudi government to relax their laws. FIFA has not publicly addressed the matter, but insiders confirmed that there will be no beer sales at matches,” the report said.
The country is so rigid that even luxury hotels don’t sell alcohol. A shop was opened in January this year— accessible only to non-Muslim diplomats and with a specific monthly quota in the diplomatic quarters—though it invoked the ire of the locals. “It’s just scary that they’re allowing such things into [the country],” a local resident told AFP then.
Saudi Arabia’s sports minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal, told Sky News last year that it would be Islamophobic to require the country to lift some of its restrictions, saying “the World Cup is for everyone”. “If you are against that, and you don’t feel like you’re going to enjoy your time coming, and you can’t respect that rule, then don’t come. It’s as simple as that,” he asserted.
He rattled out the examples in other sports. Like for instance in the Saudi GP, drivers sprinkle rose water as opposed to spraying wine.
Strengthening the belief that it could be a totally dry World Cup, head of the kingdom’s 2034 World Cup bid, told Reuters: “We’ve had over 100 global sporting events that have already taken place in Saudi Arabia. No alcohol was served in those tournaments. We had three million sports fans come in and enjoy those tournaments that have come and come again.”
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