Tue May 27 05:38:01 UTC 2025: **News Article:**
**Saudi Arabia Denies Rumors of Alcohol Ban Lift Amidst World Cup Preparations**
**Dubai, May 27, 2025** – A Saudi official has refuted recent media reports suggesting the kingdom is planning to overturn its 73-year-old ban on alcohol. The denial, issued on Monday, comes after a wine blog published a story last week claiming Saudi authorities were considering allowing controlled alcohol sales as the country prepares to host the 2034 soccer World Cup. The report, picked up by some international media outlets, did not cite any specific sources.
The rumor ignited a fervent debate online within Saudi Arabia, a nation known for its conservative values and where the King holds the prestigious title of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has been spearheading a series of reforms aimed at diversifying the Saudi economy and attracting tourism and foreign investment. These reforms have included lifting the ban on women driving in 2017, easing restrictions on gender segregation in public, and curbing the authority of the religious police.
Last year, Saudi Arabia took a small step towards allowing controlled alcohol consumption by opening its first alcohol store in Riyadh, exclusively serving non-Muslim diplomats. Prior to this, alcohol was only accessible through diplomatic channels or the black market.
Despite these modernizing efforts, Saudi Arabia maintains strict laws against alcohol consumption, with offenders facing penalties such as deportation, fines, or imprisonment. While corporal punishment, such as lashing, has largely been replaced with jail terms, the prohibition remains a significant aspect of Saudi law.
First Piper 