Alcohol to be banned from stadiums at 2034 Saudi Arabia World Cup

Fifa will not pressure local government to relax laws.

Fifa has not issued a statement on the news publicly, but according to the report there is absolutely no question about the matter.

Alcohol sales are prohibited in Saudi Arabia, having been banned in the country in 1952.

One shop in Riyadh has sold alcohol since January, though only under strict control and quotas.

According to Fifa sources, a lesson has been learnt from the 2022 Qatar World Cup, where there was pressure to accept beer sales.

The ruling Al-Thani family put their foot down, leading to the removal of beer sales two days before the start of the tournament.

Only Bud Zero and soft drinks were sold at World Cup stadiums.

Budweiser itself was removed in tens of thousands of kegs - leading to Fifa owing around £40m in compensation.