FIFA 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 from Oct 16 to 25, organisers said on Oct 15 following recent attacks on Saudi Arabia.

A strike on Riyadh’s international airport on Oct 10 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 e-sports teams on Oct 10 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 November’s Saudi International in Riyadh.

The Asian Football Confederation said it remains open to delaying the Asian Cup until 2028 if necessary. The continental tournament is scheduled to kick off on Jan 7, 2027, across venues in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. REUTERS