Will Saudi Arabia Host The First Alcohol-Free World Cup?

It was two nights before Qatar's World Cup, and all across its stadiums, staffers were frantically removing beer stands – the country had reversed its decision to serve alcohol in stadiums.

Only those spending upwards of $1,000 a seat in private boxes could indulge, as well as any guest who managed to book a room in one of the country's hotels or pop-up 'fan parks' to watch the games from there.

Saudi Arabia, where alcohol is outlawed entirely, has bid to host the 2034 World Cup.

During and after the World Cup in Doha, Qatari officials said the sudden booze-ban improved the overall event.

Qatar Tourism COO Berthold Trenkel said at the Skift Global Forum East 2022 in December: "I've seen a market shift in the tone of articles about Qatar. Pre-tournament, there was a lot of turmoil. You probably remember a bit of a storm when suddenly Budweiser wasn't allowed in the stadium anymore. But it all turned out for the better."

"You see a lot of people coming with their kids on the metro, buses, to the stadium, with their strollers. The atmosphere is very relaxed, it's not aggressive. It's a fest of celebration. Everything