Saudi Arabia has seen a series of sporting and diplomatic events postponed amid escalating security concerns following retaliatory strikes by Yemen’s armed forces, including the postponement of the FIFAe Finals and an EU-GCC summit.
FIFA and the Saudi Esports Federation announced on Thursday that the FIFAe Finals 2026, scheduled to take place in Jeddah from October 16 to 25, had been postponed. Organizers cited regional developments and their impact on the logistical arrangements required to stage the tournament.
Japan and Brazil had already withdrawn their esports teams after reviewing the security situation.
Uncertainty also surrounds the 2027 Asian Cup, which Saudi Arabia is scheduled to host from January 7 in Riyadh, Jeddah and al-Khobar.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has postponed a decision on the tournament’s future until November 30, leaving open the possibility of a one-year delay.
“We can wait until the end of November,” AFC President Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al-Khalifa told reporters in Zurich on Wednesday.
“Things can change very quickly for better or worse in the region and it is a question of seeing what happens,” he said.
“If we need to make a decision then we will, but we could move back a year to 2028 if we need to.”
Other sporting events have also been affected. The Six Kings Slam exhibition tennis tournament has been rescheduled from October to December, while the Asian Tour is monitoring developments ahead of next month’s Saudi International golf tournament in Riyadh.
The disruption has also affected diplomatic engagements. The European Union (EU) and the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have postponed their summit, which was scheduled to take place in Riyadh on October 24.
GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi confirmed the postponement on Thursday, citing attacks and the suspension of operations at King Khalid International Airport.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was scheduled to co-host the summit with European Council President António Costa, alongside leaders from the EU’s 27 member states.
The meeting was intended to strengthen ties between the two blocs and show support for Saudi Arabia in its ongoing war of aggression against Yemen.
The postponement follows a deterioration in the security situation after Yemen’s armed forces launched retaliatory attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, including strikes reported near Riyadh’s international airport.
The suspension of airport operations has further complicated arrangements for international visitors and delegations.
Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in hosting major sporting competitions and diplomatic gatherings as part of its efforts to expand its international profile. However, the latest security developments have cast uncertainty over these plans.
The latest disruptions come against the backdrop of a wider confrontation between Saudi Arabia and Yemen, rooted in Riyadh’s military intervention and prolonged blockade of the country.
On July 20, the Sana’a government announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia in response to “an unjust and oppressive siege” imposed on Yemen for nearly 12 years. Since then, Yemen’s armed forces have reported a series of operations targeting vessels associated with Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea.
Saudi Arabia and its allies imposed a blockade on Yemen in March 2015, launching a sweeping military offensive backed by military, political, and logistical support from the United States and several Western countries.
Tens of thousands of Yemenis have been killed; however, Saudi Arabia has failed to achieve its primary goal of reestablishing a puppet regime that serves its interests.
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