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MENA Sports Wrap: No booze at 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia?
Saudi Arabia will not allow alcohol to be sold at the World Cup in 2034, following the success of the move at the tournament held in Qatar two-years-ago.
Meanwhile Morocco will host FIFA's African HQ, while Lebanese tennis playerÌýHady HabibÌýwill compete at the Austrialian Open.
No booze at 2034 World Cup in Saudi Arabia
Senior FIFA officials said that fans will not be allowed to buy or consume alcohol when the FIFA World Cup takes place in the Saudi Arabia in 2034, a decision shaped by the "lessons learned" from the Qatar World Cup.
The world governing body has yet to make an official statement on the matter, but officials from the organisation revealed the information to UK media earlier this week.
They said the confusion surrounding the sale of alcohol in QatarÌýduring the World CupÌýtwo years ago prompted the decision, as well as not wanting to pressure Riyadh to relax its laws. Saudi Arabia bans the sale and consumption of alcohol except in very limited situations.
In early 2022, special zones were due to be designated specifically for fans to consume alcoholic beverages at the Qatar 2022 World Cuo. Months later, Doha said it would allow fans to bring alcohol to stadiums instead. Two days before the tournament, however, Qatar scrapped the decision altogether.
Both Qatar and Saudi Arabia are Muslim-majority countries, where the sale and consumption of alcohol are restricted, although Saudi Arabia has much stricter laws.
The Gulf kingdom, which will become one of only three MENA countries to host the football tournament in 2034, won the hosting rights last week after being the sole bidder.Ìý
Morocco to host FIFA headquarters, co-host World CupÌý2030
Morocco willÌýbe home to the headquarters of the African office of the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), according to an agreement signed on Monday at the Palais des Congres in Marrakech.
The agreement was signed by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, FIFA President Gianni Infantino, and Fouzi Lekjaa, President of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF).
It comes after FIFA revealed earlier this week that theÌý2030 men's World Cup will be co-hosted by Morocco alongside Spain and Portugal.
This will make Morocco the second African nation to host the World Cup, after South Africa in 2010. The country boasts a rich footballing heritage and has heavily invested in developing its sports infrastructure.
It marked the first time the tournament would be held across three countries spanning two continents.
The opening matches will take place in South America, making it a unique event where teams will compete across different seasons and hemispheres.
The 2030 World Cup holds special significance as it commemorates the 100th anniversary of the inaugural tournament.
Habib hopes to bring joy to Lebanon at Melbourne Park qualifiers
Hady Habib blazed a trail by taking Lebanon to the Olympic tennis tournament for the first time earlier this year and he is hoping another breakthrough at the Australian Open in January will bring comfort to his country.
The Texas-born 26-year-old enjoyed a special moment when, as a lucky loser, he went down 6-3 6-1 to major winner Carlos Alcaraz in the first round of the Olympic men's singles at Roland Garros in July.
The experience fired his ambitions to get back to the biggest stages in the tennis world and he took a step towards that goal when he won a Challenger title in Chile earlier this month to clinch a spot in Australian Open qualifying.
"I just felt so much joy," he told The National newspaper. "I'd had a couple of hard weeks before that. This was a goal of mine and to be able to achieve it in this last tournament and being the first Lebanese to win a Challenger, just so much joy."
The world number 216 is determined to make the most of his hard-earned opportunity and has changed plans to go home to Lebanon for Christmas and will instead train in South America with his Argentine coach.
Habib moved back to Lebanon with his family at the age of six and is extremely proud to represent the nation, particularly since the war in Gaza spilt over into conflict in the southern part of the country this year.
"I've been able to bring something positive and show the resilience that I have," he told the outlet.
"Everyone who's living outside of Lebanon will tell you the same thing: it's horrific to see what's happening in a country that we all love so much."
Habib will certainly be able to count on some crowd support in Melbourne in January with around one percent of the Australian population having Lebanese heritage.
"I have family in Australia who will come to watch me," he said. "It's going to be amazing."