FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation have postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 following recent attacks on Saudi Arabia. The international esports tournament was scheduled to take place in Jeddah from October 16 to 25. Organizers announced the decision on Thursday, October 15. They said recent regional developments affected the arrangements needed to host the competition. The postponement leaves players and fans waiting for further information. Organizers have not yet announced new dates for the tournament.
Why FIFA Postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026
The decision follows growing security concerns after recent attacks in Saudi Arabia. Organizers assessed the regional situation and its potential impact on tournament logistics. In their statement, organizers said the decision followed an assessment of recent developments. They also considered how these events affected the arrangements required to stage the competition.
The announcement did not provide a new schedule. Organizers said they would communicate further updates about the FIFAe Finals in due course. The postponement comes amid wider uncertainty surrounding major sporting events in the region. Several international competitions have faced scheduling concerns as organizers monitor developments.
Japan and Brazil withdraw from the competition
Japan and Brazil withdrew their esports teams on Saturday after assessing the situation in Saudi Arabia. Their decisions came before FIFA officially announced the postponement. The withdrawals added uncertainty to preparations for the global video game tournament. Both countries had been expected to participate in the FIFAe Finals. The postponement now leaves participating teams awaiting further instructions. Organizers have yet to clarify how the revised schedule will affect the competition.
Attack on Riyadh airport raises security concerns
The announcement followed a strike on Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday. The attack killed at least 12 people and injured more than 300, according to the report. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement claimed responsibility for the attack. The incident was described as Saudi Arabia’s deadliest attack in more than a decade.
The security situation has raised concerns about hosting major international events in the kingdom. Organizers are assessing regional developments and their potential effects on sporting schedules. However, FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation have not announced a replacement date for the postponed tournament.
Other sporting events face scheduling uncertainty
The FIFAe Finals are not the only sporting event affected by regional uncertainty. The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament has been moved from October to December. Meanwhile, the Asian Tour is monitoring developments ahead of next month’s Saudi International golf tournament in Riyadh.
The Asian Football Confederation has also said it remains open to delaying the Asian Cup until 2028 if necessary. The continental competition is scheduled to begin on January 7 next year. Its planned venues include Riyadh, Jeddah, and Al Khobar. Any change would affect preparations for one of Asia’s major international football tournaments.
What happens next
The FIFAe Finals 2026 will remain postponed until organizers provide further information. Players, teams, and fans must wait for an official announcement about the revised schedule. The decision highlights how security concerns can affect international esports and traditional sporting events. Organizers must consider travel, logistics, and the safety of participants when planning major competitions.
For now, FIFA postpones FIFAe Finals in Saudi Arabia following attacks remains the key development surrounding the tournament. Further details will depend on announcements from FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation.