Sports
Saudi Arabia Dropped As World Rally Championship Host
The final round of the 2026 World Rally Championship (WRC) will be held in Italy instead of Saudi Arabia because of the ongoing unrest in the Middle East.
Saudi Arabia had been set to host the 14th and final rally of the season from 11-14 November.
The championship has now been shortened to 13 rounds and will conclude with the Rally Italia in Sardinia from 1-4 October.
Rally Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, which joined the WRC calendar in 2025, will still take place on the planned dates but as part of the Middle East Rally Championship.
The FIA, the global governing body for motor sports, said Saudi Arabia “remained ready to host the event safely” but the decision was due to “ongoing uncertainty in the region and its effect on logistical arrangements”.
In a statement, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem said: “We have worked closely with our partners to explore every possible route that would allow Rally Saudi Arabia to take place as planned.
“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.”
Great Britain’s Elfyn Evans sits at the top of the WRC standings before the final round, 17 points clear of Finland’s Sami Pajari, and is the favourite to take the title with a maximum of 35 points up for grabs across the final round.
The Welshman has finished runner-up in the championship five times, and is looking to join former British winners Colin McRae and Richard Burns in winning the title.
Numerous conflicts are ongoing in the Middle East, including the Israel-Gaza war, with Israel and the United States at war with Iran and Saudi Arabia battling Houthi rebels in Yemen.
The WRC is not the first sporting event to avoid the region, with the FIA cancelling Formula One Grand Prix races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia in April.
The Bahrain race has since been relocated to Malaysia – to be staged in early October – with races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi later in the season are scheduled to go ahead as planned.
In February, tennis players, staff and media were left stranded in Dubai following missile strikes on the United Arab Emirates while in March, an ATP Challenger event in the country was disrupted by drone strikes. The sport’s governing bodies are reportedly considering replacement hosts for events in the region for the 2027 season.
On Wednesday, English golfer Matt Fitzpatrick said he is not “100% comfortable” with prospect of travelling to Dubai for his DP World Tour Championship title defence in November.
Barcelona forward, Lamine Yamal, has admitted that Victor Osimhen’s disallowed goal could have made their Champions League clash with Galatasaray more difficult.
Osimhen thought he had made it 2-0 to the Turkish champions in the first half.
However, his powerful header was chalked off following a VAR review.
Barca then fought back and overpowered Galatasaray, scoring four goals to take all three points.
But Yamal has claimed that if Yellow and Red had gone two goals up, their job would have been harder than it became.
“If Galatasaray’s second goal hadn’t been disallowed, our job in Istanbul would have been very tough,” Yamal said per Le Marca Sports.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored as Al-Nassr won an AFC Champions League match which was delayed by an hour because of a missile alert.
Ronaldo scored Al-Nassr’s second goal as the Saudi Pro League champions beat Uzbekistan’s Neftchi Fergana 3-1 on Monday.
Kick-off was delayed after Saudi Arabia’s Civil Defence issued a safety warning just 15 minutes before the scheduled start time in Riyadh, the capital city which has been the target of missiles fired from Yemen-based Houthis.
Following attacks on Riyadh’s airport, explosions were heard in the capital on Monday night. The Saudi-led military coalition said a ballistic missile had been intercepted and destroyed.
Future sporting events could be affected by the regional conflict, including Formula 1 races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Once Al-Nassr were able to get under way, Ange Postecoglou’s team went ahead through Angelo in the 33rd minute and Ronaldo doubled their lead before half-time.
Uzbekistan champions Neftchi pulled a goal back, but they were reduced to 10 men after 65 minutes and an own goal 13 minutes later sealed a first Group B victory for the hosts.
Nigeria international Frank Onyeka made a good account of himself as Coventry City defeated Newcastle United 4-1 in Monday night’s Premier League fixture.
Despite seeing just 12 minutes of action, Onyeka came in and impressed as Coventry made it back-to-back win in the English topflight this season.
It was Onyeka’s fifth appearance in the Premier League this season for newly promoted Coventry.
His Nigerian teammate Taiwo Awoniyi was not in action for Frank Lampard’s side due to suspension.
Early goals at the start of each half from Jack Rudoni and Sidiki Cherif put Coventry City in course for their first brilliant Premier League win at the CBS Arena.
Although the Magpies pulled one back 20 minutes from time, super subs Ellis Simms and Stephen Mfuni scored in the 81st and 86th minutes to secure a huge three points for the Sky Blues.
The win took Coventry up to 14th place on six points while Newcastle, on eight points, are in 11th in the league table.
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