Opening Round of FIA Middle East Rally Championship Set for January 22–24
SOHAR, Oman – Final preparations are gathering pace ahead of the 2026 Oman International Rally, the opening round of the FIA Middle East Rally Championship (MERC), which takes place from January 22nd to 24th. Engineers and technicians completed final set-up checks on rally cars on Tuesday as competing crews began reconnaissance of the demanding gravel special stages surrounding Sohar.
Challenging Route Awaits MERC Competitors
The Oman Automobile Association (OAA) has designed a demanding itinerary featuring 13 special stages, covering 215.44 competitive kilometres within a total route of 661.76km. The slightly revised layout is expected to test both man and machine as crews tackle fast, technical and dusty terrain in northern Oman.
New Event Headquarters and Established Service Park
For 2026, the rally moves to a new headquarters at the National University of Science and Technology, which will host rally administration and media activities throughout the event. Meanwhile, competitors will continue to operate from the service park at the Sohar Entertainment Centre, a venue successfully introduced during the 2025 edition.
Strong International and National Participation
The rally features a strong international field of 17 crews representing 11 nations, further strengthened by a bumper national-status event run alongside the MERC round. An additional 17 teams will contest the Oman National Rally, running behind the international field and adding depth and excitement to the weekend.
Star Names Lead the International Field
Six-time Dakar Rally champion Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah leads the FIA entry, partnered by Spanish co-driver Candido Carrera. Local interest is further boosted by two-time Omani champion Abdullah Al-Rawahi, who will debut a new Škoda Fabia RS on home soil.
Salim Al-Touqi Heads National Rally Entry
Salim Al-Touqi fronts the Oman National Rally field in a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII. The national entry includes five Mitsubishi Lancers, one Subaru Impreza, seven Can-Am Mavericks, a Kia Rio and three Toyota Yaris cars.
Haitham Soomar, Hamood Al-Touqi, Zakariya Al-Ofi and Ghaith Al-Qassmi join Al-Touqi in Mitsubishi machinery, while Faisal Al-Rashdi pilots the lone Subaru Impreza.
Wide Representation Across Multiple Manufacturers
The Can-Am contingent is represented by Saif Al-Harthy, Hafidh Al-Naamani, Fahad Al-Sulaimani, Emad Al-Balushi, Fahad Al-Balushi, Mohammed Al-Harthy and Ahmed Al-Mamari. Musab Al-Zadjali drives the sole Kia Rio, while Bashar Hamid Al-Qassmi, Abdullah Al-Touqi and Waheeb Al-Kharusi take charge of the three Toyota Yaris entries.
Strong Institutional Support
The event benefits from the continued backing of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Youth, the Al-Batinah North Governorate and Toyota Oman, underlining the rally’s importance on both a national and regional level.
Ceremonial Start and Weather Outlook
The official ceremonial start will take place at 15:15 hrs on Thursday at the Sohar Entertainment Centre. With favourable weather forecast for the region, competitors can expect dry and dusty stage conditions, with temperatures reaching the mid-twenties Celsius throughout the weekend.
The 2026 Oman International Rally promises a competitive and action-packed start to the FIA Middle East Rally Championship season.
