Portugal can be a strong candidate to replace Saudi Arabia at the World Rally Championship (WRC), if that event is cancelled. However, FPAK has not been officially contacted.
© Massimo Bettiol/Getty Images
11/08/2026
by
Sthere have been rumors in recent days about the possibility of the time of World Rally World (WRC) may end up in Portugal – that would have a second rally on this year’s calendar.
It would be an appeal solution if the Saudi Arabia Rally to be cancelled because of the conflict in the Middle East. The proof is currently scheduled for November.
Formula 1 has already had to dispense with the Bahrain GP in that country (it will be carried out under the same name, but in Malaysia). And there are doubts about the stages planned for Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
Last week, the French publication AutoHebdo reported that the Rally of the Six Northern Cities of Portugal could replace the Saudi Arabian Rally as the last round of the WRC season if the cancellation is inevitable. The Portuguese proof, which is in the European Ralis calendar (ERC), will be 23-25 October.
Why, the Minute Auto sent a request for clarification to the Portuguese Federation of Automobiles and Karting (FPAK). In the answer, the federative entity said that “has not been officially contacted“not without being aware “of the movements that are taking place on this issue”.
We also requested a reaction to the organizing club of the Rali das Six Cidades do Norte de Portugal, Demoporto. However, so far, we have not received an answer.
Decisions in September
The head of the FIA Emilia Abel recently told DirtFish that the decision on the holding of the Saudi Arabian Rally will have to be taken by mid-September. Despite the uncertainty, for the moment the objective is to keep the timetable as it is, without giving up the Saudi stage.
The Rally of the Six Cities of Northern Portugal takes place in the region of Guimarães and Fafe. If it really is the appeal solution in the case of the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian Rally, Portugal welcomes two rallyes to the WRC in 2026 – after the usual Portugal Rally last May. Disputed between the northern and central regions, it ended with Thierry Neuville's triumph at the command of a Hyundai.