Rally Saudi Arabia has been removed from the WRC 2026 schedule, leaving next month’s Rally Italia Sardegna as the final round of this year’s World Rally Championship.
The Jeddah-based WRC finale was looking increasingly unlikely with the continuation of the Iran war, but the final decision was confirmed on Thursday.
In a statement, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “We have worked closely with our partners in Saudi Arabia, our Member Club the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, WRC Promoter and our championship stakeholders in recent months to explore every possible route that would allow Rally Saudi Arabia to take place as planned. However, ongoing regional developments mean that the WRC element of Rally Saudi Arabia will not proceed this year. These are never easy decisions, particularly after the significant work undertaken by everyone involved in preparing for the event.
“While the WRC element of the event will not take place this year, our confidence in the organisers and in the long-term future of the rally remains unchanged. The FIA Middle East Rally Championship event will continue as planned in November, and we will continue to work closely with SAMF, SMC and the organising team to support the successful delivery of the event in November.
“Our focus now is firmly on the future. We will continue working together with our partners in Saudi Arabia and WRC Promoter towards bringing the FIA World Rally Championship back in 2027.
The WRC is waving goodbye to its 14th and final round of 2026 – meaning the season will conclude in just over two weeks' time in Italy
Hyundai and Toyota had already made clear their intention not to travel to the event due to the instability in the Middle East. Missile attacks on the Aramco oil facility in Yanbu on Wednesday brought further clarity to the decision to remove Saudi Arabia from the 2026 calendar.
Hopes of switching the final round to an all-gravel Catalunya were apparently extinguished late last week, when the deadline presented by the organizers of the Spanish event was passed.
One service park source told DirtFish: “This is a common-sense decision. With missiles coming into Saudi on Wednesday and the continued threat of more attacks, it would be very difficult to imagine running a rally under such circumstances.
“You have to feel for everybody involved, for the crews, the teams, and, of course, the team and the fans in Saudi Arabia, but this is the right move.”
His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of SAMF and Chairman of SMC reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia was still prepared to host this year’s season finale had teams been able to attend.
“We respect the decision taken by the FIA and WRC Promoter, while recognising how much anticipation there was around Rally Saudi Arabia in Jeddah this November,” said the Prince.
“Nothing has changed in Saudi Arabia’s readiness or confidence. The Kingdom was ready to host, preparations were advanced, and our ability to deliver safe and successful international motorsport remains clear.
Rally Saudi Arabia will be on the WRC 2027 schedule, WRC Promoter CEO Eric Boullier has confirmed
“That confidence will be reflected through the continuation of our local and regional motorsport calendar, including the Middle East Rally Championship. Motorsport in Saudi Arabia continues, major events across the Kingdom continue, and our commitment to bringing the FIA World Rally Championship to the Kingdom remains unchanged.”
WRC CEO Eric Boullier reaffirmed that Saudi Arabia will remain a fixture on the calendar next year regardless of it being dropped from the 2026 schedule.
“This has been a difficult decision,” said Boullier, “particularly given the significant work and commitment from our partners in Saudi Arabia to prepare for this year’s event. However, the ongoing regional developments and the resulting logistical challenges mean that we need to provide certainty and clarity for the remainder of the 2026 season.
“We greatly value our partnership with SAMF, SMC and the Ministry of Sport, and this decision is in no way a reflection of their ability or readiness to deliver a world-class WRC event. Our focus now is on working closely together towards the successful return of Rally Saudi Arabia to the FIA World Rally Championship in 2027.”
The 2026 WRC season now concludes on October 4, the final day of Rally Italia Sardegna. Elfyn Evans leads Toyota team-mate Sami Pajari by 17 points and Oliver Solberg by 21 points, with 35 points available to score at the season finale.
Rally Saudi Arabia will still take place, though only counting towards the FIA Middle East Rally Championship.
