Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge 2026 to decide world titles

Four drivers battle for FIA world title

Toyota Gazoo Racing's Seth Quintero leads the FIA standings with 135 points, just 14 ahead of nine-time World Rally Champion Sébastien Loeb (121) of Dacia. Five-time Dakar Rally winner Nasser Al Attiyah follows on 115 points, while Toyota's Henk Lategan remains mathematically in contention.

Dacia also leads Toyota by 47 points in the Manufacturers' Championship. Toyota fields Quintero, Lategan and Akira Miura, while Dacia's line-up includes Loeb, Al Attiyah and Lucas Moraes. Ford enters Raptor machinery for Martin Prokop, Denis Krotov, Eryk Goczal and Marek Goczal.

Oman's Hamed Al Wahaibi arrives as the 2026 FIA World Baja Cup Masters champion, having finished third overall and second in Challenger. Lithuania's Mindaugas Sidabras is also in SSV title contention, sitting second in the standings.

KTM and Honda fight for FIM motorcycle title

Reigning RallyGP world champion Daniel Sanders leads the motorcycle standings with 87 points, just 13 ahead of KTM teammate Luciano Benavides and Honda's Tosha Schareina, both tied on 74.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing also fields Edgar Canet, fresh from a victory in Morocco, while Monster Energy Honda HRC enters Schareina and experienced desert racer Adrien Van Beveren.

In Rally2, Honda's Martim Ventura arrives having already secured the World Cup title, while Slovenia's Toni Mulec remains a contender for victory in Abu Dhabi. Hero MotoSports fields Michael Docherty and David Braceras Martínez, alongside several privateer competitors.

UAE competitors take on the world's best

The UAE will have strong representation across multiple categories. Yahya Al Helei and Mansour Al Helei will compete in Can-Am Maverick R vehicles in SSV, alongside Nora Al Jassasi.

In RallyGP, Mohammed Al Balooshi will challenge the factory teams, joined by Emirati riders Sultan Alblooshi, Sultan Alshanqiti, Hamdan Alali and Khalifa Alremeithi.

The Quad category features Lithuania's Antanas Kanopkinas and Bolivia's Leonardo Martínez continuing their World Cup rivalry, while UAE rider Abdulaziz Ahli targets another home victory.

New 1,931 km route across Abu Dhabi

The revised route covers 1,931 km, including 1,326 km of timed competition. Proceedings begin on 22 November with a motorcycle prologue and FIA shakedown, followed by five competitive stages from 23–27 November.

Starting in Al Ain, competitors will travel through Al Dhafra, with Madinat Zayed serving as the main bivouac. Stage 2, on 24 November, features 330 km of timed competition and finishes at coastal Al Sila', where competitors will spend the night at a Marathon Camp overlooking the Arabian Gulf.

The route continues through Madinat Zayed and Liwa before returning to Al Ain on 27 November, challenging competitors with dunes, rocky terrain, fast desert tracks and demanding navigation.

Organisation and partners

The event is held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region, and organised by the Emirates Motorsports Organization (EMSO) in cooperation with the Abu Dhabi Sports Council.

Key supporters include the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra municipalities, ADNOC Distribution and Al-Futtaim Toyota, alongside several UAE government entities.

With both FIA and FIM world titles to be decided, the 35th Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge promises one of the most significant editions in the event's history.