A Saudi official has denied reports suggesting the kingdom might lift its long-standing ban on alcohol, confirming that the prohibition remains in place.
The clarification comes after a claim on a wine blog—later picked up by some international media—that Saudi Arabia would allow alcohol sales in tourist areas ahead of the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Indian Express reported.
Notably, the original report lacked cited sources.
“There is no truth to these reports. Alcohol remains prohibited,” an official was quoted as saying by Reuters.
While Saudi Arabia has introduced several social reforms in recent years—like allowing public concerts, cinemas, and fashion shows—alcohol remains banned. The country, which is home to Islam’s holiest sites, enforces the ban particularly for Muslims.
These changes are part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s broader efforts to modernize the kingdom and diversify its economy beyond oil. Other reforms include lifting the ban on women driving, easing gender segregation, and curbing the authority of the religious police.
Despite these steps, the alcohol ban continues to reflect the deeply rooted Islamic identity of the country, where the king holds the title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait remain the only Gulf nations with a complete ban on alcohol sales.
However, last year, Saudi Arabia opened its first alcohol shop in Riyadh, restricted to non-Muslim diplomats. Prior to that, alcohol was only available through diplomatic channels or on the black market.
