Here is a wild twist for the championship. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile and WRC Promoter have officially confirmed that Rally Saudi Arabia will not be part of the 2026 FIA World Rally Championship schedule. Originally set to run from 12–15 November, the event had to be pulled from the top-tier calendar after extensive discussions with the Saudi Automobile and Motorcycle Federation, local organizers, and championship stakeholders.
Unfortunately, ongoing regional developments and the resulting logistical headaches made the WRC fixture impossible to proceed with as planned for 2026. That said, the country's local and regional motorsport calendar remains completely unaffected. Saudi Arabia stays fully operational, meaning Rally Saudi Arabia will still push forward on those exact dates from 12–15 November as part of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship. The FIA, SAMF, SMC, and the organizing team are fully committed to supporting its safe and successful delivery.
With the Saudi fixture stepping down from the global stage, the 2026 season requires a new conclusion. Enter Rally Italia Sardegna. Running from 1–4 October, the iconic Italian gravel test now steps up to become the 13th and final round of the year. With the FIA Drivers' and Co-Drivers' Championship leaders separated by 17 points, those demanding stages are going to serve up an absolute thriller for the title fight. Do note, however, that this calendar shift still requires final approval from the FIA World Motor Sport Council.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem explained the tough call: "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."
Despite the removal of the WRC status for this season, all parties are already looking ahead. The focus for the FIA, WRC Promoter, and their partners in the Kingdom is firmly set on bringing the World Rally Championship back to Saudi Arabia in 2027. WRC Promoter CEO Éric Boullier noted that the difficult choice was made to provide certainty and clarity for the remainder of the 2026 campaign while praising the considerable efforts put in by SAMF, SMC, and the Ministry of Sport.
Meanwhile, His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Sultan Al-Abdullah Al-Faisal, Chairman of SAMF and Chairman of SMC, emphasized that the nation's readiness and capability to host international motorsport remain completely undiminished. While acknowledging the anticipation surrounding the planned event in Jeddah, the commitment to the Middle East Rally Championship and the long-term goal of hosting the WRC in the future remains absolute.
