Muscat, Oman – Tuesday, January 13, 2026
The Oman Automobile Association has confirmed a highly competitive international field for the 2026 Oman International Rally, the opening round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship, scheduled to take place from January 22–24 in Sohar.
A total of 13 international crews representing 10 nations will contest the championship round, while a further four teams are entered in the national category, which will run at the rear of the field. The rally returns to Sohar for the second consecutive year and once again opens the regional season ahead of rounds in Qatar, Jordan, Lebanon, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia.
Al-Attiyah Leads the Field
Heading the entry list is Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah, the most successful driver in Middle East rally history. The multiple regional champion is partnered once again by Spanish co-driver Candido Carrera as he launches his campaign for a remarkable 21st MERC title and targets a record-breaking ninth victory in the Sultanate of Oman. The Qatari will compete in a Škoda Fabia RS run by Autotek Motorsport.
Local Challenge Headed by Al-Rawahi
Al-Attiyah’s main challenger is expected to be Oman’s leading driver Abdullah Al-Rawahi. The former regional champion has recovered fully from injuries sustained during a national rally in Lebanon last year and returns to action on home soil alongside Jordanian co-driver Ata Al-Hmoud. Driving a Škoda Fabia RS, Al-Rawahi will be aiming for a third victory on his home event in six years.
Strong Rally 2 Contingent
The Rally 2 field is further bolstered by Saudi Arabia’s Hamza Bakhashab, son of former regional champion Abdullah Bakhashab, who will be partnered by Irish co-driver Lorcan Moore in a Toyota GR Yaris. Qatari veteran and reigning Masters champion Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya returns with Lebanese co-driver Ziad Chehab in a Ford Fiesta Rally 2.
Additional Rally 2 entries include Jordan’s Sheikh Bader Al-Fayez in a Škoda Fabia RS, Qatar’s Rashid Al-Muhannadi in a Peugeot 208 Rally 2, and Jordanian driver Ihab Al-Shurafa, also competing in a Škoda Fabia RS.
Rally 4 and Rally 5 Battles
Promising Qatari youngster Mohammed Al-Marri will represent QMMF Team colours in the Rally 4 category with a Peugeot 208, where he will face competition from Indian driver Payyaakkal Panikkaveettil in a Ford Fiesta. Lebanon’s Shadi El Fakih will be looking for success in Rally 5 with a Renault Clio.
Rally 2 Honours and Local Interest
The Rally 2 honours are expected to be contested between local driver Zakariya Al-Aamri in a Subaru Impreza WRX STi and Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X entries driven by Oman’s Jassim Al-Muqahwi and Jordan’s Shaker Jweihan. Defending champion Abdullah Al-Zubair will not compete in this year’s event.
Event Organisation
The rally is organised under the chairmanship of Brigadier Jamal Said Al-Tai, with vice-chairman Suleiman Al-Rawahi, Rally Director Anwar Al-Zadjali and Clerk of the Course Hani Shaban. The event benefits from the support of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Sohar Governorate Office and Toyota Oman.
The official ceremonial start will take place at the Sohar Entertainment Centre on Thursday, January 22.
2026 Oman International Rally – Entry List (subject to FIA approval)
- Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah (QAT) / Candido Carrera (ESP) – Škoda Fabia RS Rally 2
- Abdullah Al-Rawahi (OMN) / Ata Al-Hmoud (JOR) – Škoda Fabia RS Rally 2
- Nasser Khalifa Al-Atya (QAT) / Ziad Chehab (LEB) – Ford Fiesta Mk II Rally 2
- Hamza Bakhashab (KSA) / Lorcan Moore (IRL) – Toyota GR Yaris Rally 2
- Rashid Al-Muhannadi (QAT) / Szymon Gospodarczyk (POL) – Peugeot 208 Rally 2
- Zakariya Al-Aamri (OMN) / Mohammed Al-Mazroui (OMN) – Subaru Impreza WRX STi
- Bader Al-Fayez (JOR) / TBA – Škoda Fabia RS Rally 2
- Ihab Al-Shurafa (JOR) / Ahmad Jankout (JOR) – Škoda Fabia RS Rally 2
- Mohammed Al-Marri (QAT) / Pierre Delorme (FRA) – Peugeot 208 Rally 4
- Shadi El Fakih (LBN) / Joseph Kmeid (LBN) – Renault Clio Rally 5
- Jassim Al-Muqahwi (OMN) / Sulaiman Al-Helal (OMN) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
- Payyaakkal Panikkaveettil (IND) / Musa Sherif (IND) – Ford Fiesta
- Shaker Jweihan (JOR) / Mustafa Juma (JOR) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
2026 Oman National Rally – Entry List
- Sami Fleifel (JOR) / Ibrahim Ali (JOR) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo
- Mohammed Al-Shorafa (JOR) / Yazan Juma (JOR) – Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
- Rhea Dagher (LBN) / TBA – Can-Am Maverick
- Farah Zakaria (JOR) / TBA – Can-Am Maverick
