RIYADH: According to a Reuters report published by The Straits Times, 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 that the decision followed an assessment of recent developments in the region and their impact on the logistical arrangements required to stage the tournament. Further announcements will be made in due course.
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. Japan and Brazil withdrew their esports teams on Oct 10 after assessing the situation in the host country.
Saudi Arabia is also hosting the Asian Cup, due to kick off on Jan 7, 2027, in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar. AFC president Salman Ebrahim Al Khalifa told reporters in Zurich the confederation could wait until the end of November and could move the tournament back to 2028 if needed, but was monitoring the situation with everything currently on schedule.
Security uncertainty has also hit other events: the Six Kings Slam tennis tournament was moved from Oct 21–24 to Dec 27–30, and the Asian Tour said it was monitoring developments ahead of November's Saudi International in Riyadh.