IFA postpones FIFAe Finals in Saudi Arabia following attacks

FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation have ​postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 scheduled to take place ‌in Jeddah in October. | Photo Credit: Reuters

FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation have ​postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 scheduled to take place ‌in Jeddah from October 16 to 25, organisers ​said on Thursday following recent attacks ⁠on Saudi Arabia.

A strike on Riyadh’s international airport on Saturday killed at least 12 people and wounded more ‌than 300, with Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement claiming responsibility for the deadliest attack in ‌Saudi Arabia in more than a decade.

“The ‌decision ⁠follows an assessment of recent developments in ⁠the region and their impact on the logistical arrangements required to stage the tournament,” organisers of the global video ​game tournament said.

“Further announcements ‌on the FIFAe Finals will be communicated in due course.”

Japan and Brazil withdrew their esports teams on Saturday after assessing the situation in ‌the host country.

The security uncertainty has cast a ​shadow over sporting events in the kingdom.

The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament ⁠was moved from October to December while golf’s Asian Tour said it is monitoring developments ahead of ‌next month’s Saudi International in Riyadh.

The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) said it remains open to delaying the Asian Cup until 2028 if necessary. The continental tournament is scheduled to kick off on January 7 next year across venues in Riyadh, ‌Jeddah and Al Khobar.

The Korea Football Association (KFA) said it was ​in communication with the AFC.

“We are closely monitoring the situation in Saudi Arabia ⁠and plan to continue discussions regarding overall developments,” the ⁠KFA said in a statement.

The previous Asian Cup was delayed by a year after ‌China withdrew as hosts because of COVID-19 restrictions, with Qatar stepping in to stage the ​tournament in early 2024.