The main event of the FIFAe World Cup 2026 Rocket League tournament, scheduled to kick off on October 20 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, featuring 16 national teams, is in jeopardy. Several national associations are currently considering withdrawing from the event due to the rapid escalation of military conflicts in the Middle East.
Among the countries weighing the decision to withdraw from the competition are England, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Puerto Rico, the United States, and the reigning champions, France. The primary cause for concern is the escalation of the Yemeni Civil War and the Iran war entering its eighth month, leading to regular attacks on Saudi Arabia's cities and energy facilities. The foreign affairs departments of the US and the UK have issued warnings regarding the high risk of missile and drone strikes by Houthi rebels, officially advising their citizens against travel to the region.
Although organizers relocated the event in September from the capital, Riyadh, to Jeddah—a potentially safer city on the Red Sea coast—authorities continue to issue air raid alerts and warnings there. This casts doubt on the safety of players and staff during the most ambitious championship in the discipline's history, which was preceded by large-scale online Nations League stages and LAN tournaments across different continents.
The ongoing geopolitical situation has already forced the cancellation or relocation of several other major events. Notably, the premier Esports World Cup was moved from Riyadh to Paris, while the Esports Nations Cup Rocket League tournament, featuring a $1.32 million prize pool, was postponed entirely to 2027.
With less than a month remaining until the start of the FIFAe World Cup, a last-minute change of location is virtually impossible. Should several national teams definitively withdraw, the event could be canceled entirely. As a backup plan, organizers are currently reaching out to national associations that did not qualify directly, checking their willingness to step in for the teams planning to withdraw.
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