FIFA postpones Saudi esports finals amid Ansarallah operations after attacks, with Japan and Brazil also withdrawing teams

FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation have postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026, which were scheduled for Jeddah from October 16 to 25, organizers announced Thursday. The decision follows recent attacks on Saudi Arabia and comes amid Ansarallah operations, as described in the announcement accompanying the news.

Organizers said they assessed recent regional developments and their effect on the logistical arrangements needed to stage the tournament. They said further announcements about the finals would be made in due course. Japan and Brazil withdrew their esports teams on Saturday after assessing the security situation in Saudi Arabia.

Other sports events in Saudi Arabia are also facing schedule changes or monitoring. The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament has been postponed 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 has indicated it could delay the Asian Cup until 2028 if necessary. The tournament is scheduled to begin on January 7, 2027, with matches planned in Riyadh, Jeddah and Al-Khobar.