FIFAe Finals 2026 postponed without a new date

FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation have postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The tournament had been scheduled for Oct. 16-25. Organizers have not announced a new date.

The decision followed a review of regional developments and their effect on travel, accommodation and event operations, according to a joint statement. FIFA and the federation said they would provide further updates in due course.

The statement read: “FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation have announced the postponement of the FIFAe Finals 2026, originally scheduled to take place in Jeddah from 16 to 25 October. The decision follows an assessment of recent developments in the region and their impact on the logistical arrangements required to stage the tournament.”

The postponement followed reports that most participating teams had withdrawn, citing security concerns in Saudi Arabia linked to the ongoing regional conflict and concerns for player safety.

Other esports events have been affected by the regional situation. Major disruptions to air travel led the Esports Foundation to move the Esports World Cup, a separate tournament series, from Riyadh to Paris earlier this year.

In August, the Esports Foundation postponed the first Esports Nations Cup, a national-team tournament that had been scheduled for Riyadh in November. The event was rescheduled for November 2027. Organizers cited an “ongoing assessment of the wider regional situation.”

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