At a glance
- The Qatar International Baja has attracted 37 car entries and hosts the penultimate rounds of the FIA World Baja Cup and FIA Middle East Baja Cup on October 29–31, 2026.
- Within the announced field, 11 crews are registered for World Cup points and 15 for the regional cup; these registrations do not cover every entry.
- World Cup leader Dania Akeel will sit out Qatar. She holds an eight-point advantage over Mitchel van den Brink.
- Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah enters the regional competition with maximum points already earned in Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
The Qatar International Baja has attracted 37 car entries and will host the penultimate rounds of the FIA World Baja Cup and FIA Middle East Baja Cup on October 29–31, 2026. World Cup leader Dania Akeel will be absent as her championship rivals gather in Lusail.
The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) is organising the event. Administrative checks begin at Lusail International Circuit on October 28, before the Prologue opens competition the following day.
The FIA’s 2026 Qatar preview lists nine Ultimate entries, 12 Challenger entries, 13 SSV entries and three Stock entries. The World Cup and regional registrations sit within that overall field; not every car is registered for either cup.
For comparison, the FIA’s 2025 event preview announced 43 cars, including 19 in SSV. This year’s announced SSV field numbers 13. These are preview entry counts, rather than confirmed starters.
Akeel absent as World Cup rivals gather
Akeel has completed her nominated six events and will watch from the sidelines, according to the FIA preview.
Her nearest challenger, South Racing Can-Am driver Mitchel van den Brink, is second in the overall Drivers’ Championship, eight points behind Akeel. Van den Brink leads Francisco Barreto by seven points; Barreto won the recent Baja Portalegre 500 in Portugal.
Lionel Baud is also among the contenders. Saood Variawa trails Van den Brink by 33 points after scoring from four events.
In the Challenger category, Van den Brink leads Hamed Al-Wahaibi by 60 points.
Fernando Alvarez is the only SSV driver registered for World Cup points in Qatar, although the event has 13 SSV entries overall. He trails the absent Hedda Hosås by 33 points in the category standings. His navigator Xavier Panseri has the same deficit to the absent Pol Tibau in the corresponding navigator championship.
In Stock, the FIA preview says Majed Al-Thunayyan needs eight points from his last event to overtake Al-Mashna Al-Shammeri and claim the title. Al-Thunayyan and navigator Omar Al-Lahim are entered in a Nissan Patrol, as are fellow World Cup-registered crew Abdulla Al-Rabban and Ali Ajami.
Al-Attiyah heads regional challenge
Nasser Saleh Al-Attiyah is entered as a privateer with Max Delfino in an Optimus MD Rallye. He has already taken maximum regional championship points in Saudi Arabia and Jordan.
Al-Attiyah’s closest rival in the FIA Middle East Baja Cup Drivers’ Championship, Yasir Seaidan, is absent from Qatar. Al-Attiyah holds a 44-point advantage over Mohammed Al-Marri, who has already secured the Junior Driver title.
Al-Marri also leads the regional SSV standings, with a 58-point advantage over Hamad Al-Harbi and 60 points over each of Maha Al-Hamali and Mohammed Al-Atteya. All four drivers are entered in Can-Am Mavericks.
David Mabbs, partnered by David McBride in a Can-Am Maverick X3, trails the absent Miroslav Zapletal by 68 points in regional Challenger.
Abdullah Al-Shegawi and Ali Mirza form the only crew entered at Qatar registered for regional Stock points. They drive a Toyota Prado.
Related posts
Two selective sections and a separate Prologue
The October FIA preview lists a total route of 860.05 kilometres. Its two selective sections—the timed desert stages—add up to 541.24 kilometres, with an 11.12-kilometre Prologue listed separately.
| Date in 2026 | Scheduled competition | Distance | Route or function |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 29 | Prologue | 11.12 km | Establishes starting orders for Friday’s competition |
| October 30 | First selective section | 336.45 km | Divided into five parts through northern and central Qatar |
| October 31 | Second selective section | 204.79 km | Two parts through southern Qatar, including the Sealine dunes |
Source: FIA’s scheduled route and timetable.
The FIA preview describes Friday’s stage as the longest selective section in the 2026 FIA World Baja Cup. The post-event press conference and prize-giving are scheduled at Lusail International Circuit on October 31.
Image credit: Illustrative photograph. · Mohan · Modifications: Wikimedia-provided thumbnail. · Image source · CC BY 2.0
