Saudi Arabian May Lift Ban On Alcohol If Granted Right To Host 2034 World Cup

The Saudi Arabian authorities are planning to allow football fans to drink alcohol if the country’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup is eventually granted.

The Muslim-majority country prohibits the sale and consumption of alcohol, but could allow booze to be sold in hotels and restricted “fan zones” if it is awarded the tournament.

“It has not been publicly discussed but it is an accepted fact,” a source told The Sun, according to Daily Mail.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced its intention to bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup earlier this week.

This declaration has generated a lot of controversies and critics had warned FIFA that to allow the oil-rich state to host the tournament would be ‘sports washing’, covering up for its “atrocious human rights record.”

The source told The Sun: “We acknowledge very serious mistakes have been made in the past and want the world to understand that we are changing.”

The sale and consumption of alcohol is strictly prohibited in Saudi Arabia and foreigners caught drinking can face public flogging, fines, imprisonment and deportation.

But the country appears to have relaxed its stance with the prospect of hosting the 2034 World Cup, announcing it would bid on Wednesday.

President of the Saudi Arabian Football Federation (SAFF), Yasser Al Misehal, said in a statement released on the SAFF website: ‘We believe the time is right for Saudi Arabia to host the FIFA World Cup.

• Sodiq Yusuf