Regional Tensions Force Postponement of Al-Nassr Match and Dakar Rally Relocation
Middle East security tensions have forced the postponement of Al-Nassr's Asian Champions League match against Al-Wasl and the relocation of the 2027 Dakar Rally from Saudi Arabia.
Regional security escalations in the Middle East have forced the postponement of an AFC Champions League match between Al-Nassr, featuring Cristiano Ronaldo, and the UAE's Al-Wasl. Originally scheduled to take place in Riyadh, the fixture was called off by the Asian Football Confederation, while Dakar Rally organizers announced that the prestigious 2027 race will be relocated outside Saudi Arabia due to ongoing instability.
The Asian Football Confederation announced the postponement without providing a formal rationale, though Saudi media reported that the Emirati delegation had not traveled to Riyadh prior to the decision. The regional tensions stem from escalating hostilities between the Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebels in Yemen, who have recently launched attacks against targets within the kingdom, including airports.
The Saudi Football Federation expressed disappointment, stating that all logistical preparations, flight clearances, and referee arrivals had been finalized in Riyadh. The federation confirmed its full support for Al-Nassr in protecting its sporting rights. Regional friction has already disrupted other Saudi clubs, forcing Al-Hilal to travel by bus to Qatar for an away fixture against Al-Sadd.
The motorsport sector has suffered a major blow as ASO and the Saudi Motorsport Company confirmed that the January 2027 Dakar Rally will be hosted in an alternative country. Organizers emphasized that the move is temporary, with intentions to return the event to Saudi Arabia in 2028 to mark its landmark 50th edition. Potential host alternatives currently under review include Morocco and Spain.
These disruptions follow a series of cancellations across the Gulf sports calendar. The Jeddah Formula 1 Grand Prix has been canceled alongside the World Rally Championship finale, while a high-profile tennis exhibition featuring Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev was postponed to late December, and the WTA Finals were relocated to Indian Wells, USA.
