FIFA together with the Saudi Esports Federation has decided to delay the 2026 FIFAe Finals, a decision made on October 15, just a day prior to the start of the Jeddah event, and no alternative date or location has been revealed.
This postponement leaves national teams and event collaborators without a definitive timeline for the competition, which was initially set to take place from October 16 to 25 at Abadi Al Johar Arena. In their joint announcement, they referenced a review of regional circumstances and the potential impacts these may have on the logistical components vital for organizing the tournament; however, security was not a topic mentioned.
Withdrawals preceded the postponement
Japan’s football governing body announced on October 10 that it would refrain from sending its team following evaluations regarding safety and security in the host nation. Subsequently, Brazil’s football federation also withdrew the eSeleção’s involvement due to concerns about regional tensions and the associated risks linked to airspace and airports that would be utilized by its delegation.
FIFA’s announcement regarding qualifications on September 1 indicated that over 120 nations had entered, with teams earning their spots through five in-person continental tournaments. The anticipated lineup was expected to consist of 12 national teams for both the console and mobile eFootball categories, alongside 16 teams in Rocket League.
- Scheduled dates: October 16–25, 2026
- Proposed location: Abadi Al Johar Arena, Jeddah
- Events: console eFootball, mobile eFootball, and Rocket League
- Withdrawals prior to postponement: Japan and Brazil
- New date and location: not provided
FIFA’s earlier announcement did not disclose the prize pool for 2026. The last edition, which occurred in 2025, offered a prize pool of $450,000, according to FIFA figures.
Saudi esports calendar faces further changes
The delay in the FIFAe tournament is a continuation of adjustments to major esports events that were set to take place in Saudi Arabia. The 2026 Esports World Cup was relocated from Riyadh to Paris in May, while the inaugural Esports Nations Cup was deferred from November 2026 to November 2027 after most qualification events had already occurred. Organizers have stated that Saudi Arabia still possesses the capacity to host events.
The postponement of the Nations Cup has similarly resulted in national teams and competitors experiencing uncertainty regarding replacement plans, while the relocation of the World Cup exemplifies a recent instance of a Saudi-hosted event changing its location. FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation had affirmed the FIFAe Finals for 2025 and 2026 in a July 2025 announcement; the current hosting and publisher agreements are designated to encompass those two years.
These scheduling alterations contribute to growing uncertainty within the 2026 esports tournament calendar. The separate postponement of the Esports Nations Cup further highlights the difficulties in planning when national-team competitions lose their original timelines.
Replacement plans remain open
FIFA has indicated that additional announcements will be forthcoming, but it has yet to confirm whether the Finals will continue to be held in Jeddah or relocated within Saudi Arabia. It remains ambiguous whether qualification outcomes will be maintained, how organizers will address travel and venue expenses that have already been incurred, or if Japan and Brazil would have the opportunity to participate should the event be rescheduled.
Clarification would also be necessary regarding the hosting and publisher agreements if the tournament extends beyond 2026. At present, FIFA will not be awarding its console eFootball, mobile eFootball, and Rocket League world champions in October; forthcoming announcements are anticipated to discuss arrangements for the event’s replacement.
