FIFA eFinals 2026 postponed after attack on Riyadh airport, event was due in Jeddah

FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation have postponed the FIFAe Finals 2026 for now. The event was to be held in Jeddah from October 16 to 25. The decision follows the recent attack on Riyadh's international airport.

On October 10, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, was targeted in an attack. Twelve people were killed and more than 309 civilians were injured. Houthi rebels from Yemen claimed responsibility for the attack, which has been described as the most dangerous in the past decade.

In a statement, the organisers said the decision was taken after assessing the impact on transport, accommodation, logistics and the rest of the event. According to the organisers, an announcement about the FIFAe Finals will be made in the next few days.

The organisers also said in the statement that the support and cooperation extended by Saudi Arabia and the Saudi Esports Federation in preparing for the FIFAe Finals 2026 was commendable. The statement said Saudi Arabia has experience of staging successful events over the past few years and that its work has been outstanding.

The deadly attack on Riyadh airport has affected other sporting events as well. The Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition in Saudi Arabia has also been moved. Because of logistical difficulties, it will now be played between December 27 and 30, 2026.

Following the missile attacks on Riyadh, there is also a possibility that the 2027 AFC Asian Cup football tournament will be postponed by a year. The continental tournament is scheduled to begin next year on January 7 in the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar.

The league said in a statement that the match schedule has been changed for logistical reasons, keeping in mind the minimum rest time players need between matches.