Rally Saudi Arabia cancelled, Evans poised for WRC title
4 sources • 2 min read • Latest: Sep 17, 2026, 3:50 PM
Last updated Sep 17, 2026
The FIA has cancelled the 2026 World Rally Championship season finale scheduled for Saudi Arabia from November 11-14, making Rally Sardinia the last race of the season. Concerns over safety amid ongoing regional conflicts led to the decision, with teams unable to travel to the Middle East. Toyota and Hyundai informed the FIA of their travel restrictions, while M-Sport-Ford had sought assurances for their participation. As a result, Elfyn Evans is positioned to become Britain's first WRC champion since 2001, leading the points standings with a 17-point margin over teammate Sami Pajari. The cancellation has significant implications, concluding the title race earlier than expected.
- •FIA cancels Rally Saudi Arabia due to regional safety concerns
- •Rally Sardinia is now the final event of the season
- •Elfyn Evans leads the championship by 17 points
- •Toyota and Hyundai cited travel restrictions to the region
- •M-Sport-Ford sought safety assurances for participation
- 3:50 PMBBC Sport — Saudi Arabia dropped from World Rally Championship
- 2:50 PMAutosport — Evans set to become WRC champion as Rally Saudi Arabia is cancelled
- 2:48 PMYahoo Sports — WRC 2026 to end in Sardinia as Rally Saudi Arabia is cancelled
- 2:48 PMMotorsport.com — WRC 2026 to end in Sardinia as Rally Saudi Arabia is cancelled
"The FIA has confirmed that the 2026 World Rally Championship season finale in Saudi Arabia has been cancelled and will not be replaced - so Rally Sardinia is now the last round. Saudi Arabia was due to host its rally on 11-14 November, but it was among many motorsport events in the Middle East facing uncertainty amid the ongoing conflict in the region. This decision follows weeks of ...Keep reading
"The FIA has confirmed that the 2026 World Rally Championship season finale in Saudi Arabia has been cancelled and will not be replaced - so Rally Sardinia is now the last round. Saudi Arabia was due to host its rally on 11-14 November, but it was among many motorsport events in the Middle East facing uncertainty amid the ongoing conflict in the region. This decision follows weeks of ...Keep reading
"The final round of the 2026 World Rally Championship will be held in Italy instead of Saudi Arabia because of the ongoing unrest in the Middle East.
Sources
External links- BBC SportSep 17, 2026, 3:50 PMSaudi Arabia dropped from World Rally Championship
The final round of the 2026 World Rally Championship will be held in Italy instead of Saudi Arabia because of the ongoing unrest in the Middle East.
- AutosportSep 17, 2026, 2:50 PMEvans set to become WRC champion as Rally Saudi Arabia is cancelled
The FIA has confirmed that the 2026 World Rally Championship season finale in Saudi Arabia has been cancelled and will not be replaced - so Rally Sardinia is now the last round. Saudi Arabia was due to host its rally on 11-14 November, but it was among many motorsport events in the Middle East facing uncertainty amid the ongoing conflict in the region. This decision follows weeks of ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsSep 17, 2026, 2:48 PMWRC 2026 to end in Sardinia as Rally Saudi Arabia is cancelled
The World Rally Championship season will end earlier than planned with the title race to be decided next month
- Motorsport.comSep 17, 2026, 2:48 PMWRC 2026 to end in Sardinia as Rally Saudi Arabia is cancelled
The FIA has confirmed that the 2026 World Rally Championship season finale in Saudi Arabia has been cancelled and will not be replaced - so Rally Sardinia is now the last round. Saudi Arabia was due to host its rally on 11-14 November, but it was among many motorsport events in the Middle East facing uncertainty amid the ongoing conflict in the region. This decision follows weeks of ...Keep reading
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