FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation postponed the 2026 FIFAe Finals on October 15, one day before the Jeddah event was due to begin, with no replacement date or venue announced.

The decision leaves national teams and event partners without a confirmed schedule for the competition, which had been planned for October 16–25 at Abadi Al Johar Arena. The joint statement cited an assessment of regional developments and their effect on the logistical arrangements required to stage the tournament; it did not mention security.

Japan’s football association said on October 10 that it would not send its team after assessing safety and security in the host country. Brazil’s football confederation later cancelled the eSeleção’s participation, citing regional tensions and risks involving the airspace and airports its delegation would use.

FIFA’s September 1 qualification announcement said more than 120 nations had entered, with teams qualifying through five in-person continental championships. The scheduled field comprised 12 national teams in each of the console and mobile eFootball competitions, plus 16 in Rocket League.

FIFA’s September announcement did not state a 2026 prize pool. The previous edition, held in 2025, had a $450,000 prize pool, according to FIFA.

The FIFAe delay follows other changes to major esports events planned for Saudi Arabia. The 2026 Esports World Cup moved from Riyadh to Paris in May, while the inaugural Esports Nations Cup was postponed from November 2026 to November 2027 after most qualifying had taken place. Organisers said Saudi Arabia remained capable of hosting events.

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