Martin, Aldeguer target Qatar returns as MotoGP teams finalise line-ups

Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr are among the clubs facing a change of plans this weekend after the Saudi Pro League postponed its entire 13th round following the Asian Cup’s move to late 2027. Al Nassr were due to visit Al Hazem during the November 5-7 round, which also included Al Hilal away to Al Ettifaq and Al Ahli at home against Al Taawoun. New dates have yet to be set, with the league consulting clubs over changes to the rest of the season. Tuesday’s announcement came hours after the AFC proposed moving the Asian Cup to 23 December 2027-21 January 2028, subject to FIFA approval. The Asian Cup’s postponement followed regional developments that have disrupted travel and preparations, with recent attacks in Saudi Arabia also affecting other sports. The Six Kings Slam tennis exhibition in Riyadh, featuring Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, has been shifted from October to December 27-30. Golf’s Saudi International and the FIFAe Finals in Jeddah remain without replacement dates after their postponements, while the UCI Urban Cycling World Championships were cancelled. Saudi domestic football had already undergone several schedule changes in October. Among them, Al Ahli’s match against Al Nassr was moved to March, leaving the clubs with another rearranged fixture to accommodate.

 

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The 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia has been postponed by almost a year following regional developments that have disrupted travel and tournament preparations. The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced the decision on Tuesday, with the competition now proposed to run from 23 December 2027 to 21 January 2028, subject to FIFA approval.

 

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The 24-team tournament was originally scheduled for January 7-February 5, with Saudi Arabia hosting for the first time. Organisers cited exceptional circumstances, including logistical difficulties and travel disruption, in explaining the postponement. The decision follows weeks of uncertainty after attacks in Saudi Arabia affected several international sporting events. The Asian Cup remains scheduled to take place across Riyadh, Jeddah and Al Khobar, with Qatar seeking a third consecutive title after winning the 2019 and 2023 editions. Four Southeast Asian teams have qualified: Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore. Singapore will return for the first time since hosting in 1984, facing Australia, Iraq and Tajikistan in Group D. Indonesia and Thailand share Group F with Japan and Qatar, while Vietnam have been drawn in Group E alongside South Korea, Yemen and the United Arab Emirates. The postponement means a second consecutive Asian Cup will be played outside its original schedule. The 2023 edition was moved from China to Qatar because of COVID-19 restrictions and held in January-February 2024, with the hosts beating Jordan in the final.

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MotoGP heads to Lusail for the Qatar Grand Prix on November 6-8, with the floodlit circuit hosting the championship’s final stop outside Europe this season. Fans can watch every practice, qualifying session, Sprint and Grand Prix live on SPOTV NOW. Here are five things to know ahead of the weekend.

Match point for Marquez

Marc Marquez has his first opportunity to secure an eighth MotoGP world title in Qatar, arriving with a 44-point lead over Jorge Martin after winning in Malaysia. The Ducati rider has won twice in the premier class at Lusail, in 2014 and 2025, with last year’s victory coming alongside a Sprint win. Repeating that double would bring him another 37 points and the championship if Martin scores no more than seven across the weekend. Martin withdrew from Sepang while recovering from his wrist injury. If he also misses Qatar, Marc would need at least 30 points to put him out of contention. Marco Bezzecchi remains a factor too. The Aprilia rider trails Marc by 67 points, but a Marquez double would also end his title hopes regardless of where he finishes.

 

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Yamaha sit out

The Qatar grid will be missing Yamaha’s teams after the Japanese manufacturer decided to maintain their company-wide restrictions on travel to the Middle East, with Yamaha planning to return in Portugal later this month. MotoGP said the race would proceed following consultations with Qatari authorities and independent safety advisers and also warned that Yamaha’s absence carried contractual and sporting implications, with the FIM responsible for any sporting consequences.

 

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A different time of year

Qatar’s November date changes the conditions teams would usually prepare for, but Lusail is not entirely unfamiliar territory at this stage of the year. The circuit also hosted MotoGP in November 2023, when Fabio Di Giannantonio claimed his first premier-class victory after the event was moved to accommodate circuit upgrades. November is generally cooler than April during the day, potentially easing the physical demands on riders after the heat of Sepang. However, the evening temperatures and changing grip between daytime practice and night racing will still matter. Wind-blown sand can also affect the surface, giving teams more to consider than the temperature alone.

 

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Two remain in Moto2 title race

Moto2’s championship fight is now down to Manuel Gonzalez and Izan Guevara, with just 3.5 points separating the Spanish pair. Gonzalez leads on 276.5 points after finishing fifth in Malaysia, one place behind Guevara, who moved to 273. With three races and a maximum of 75 points remaining, third-placed Ivan Ortola can no longer catch the leader. His total of 199.5 leaves him 77 points behind. Neither contender can settle the championship in Qatar, ensuring their contest continues to Portugal.

 

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Moto4 Asia Cup finale

The Moto4 Asia Cup will crown its 2026 champion at Lusail, with two races remaining and three riders still in contention. Japan’s Hayato Chishiki leads on 161 points, ahead of Indonesia’s Bintang Pranata on 129 and fellow Japanese rider Waku Kunitate on 121. Chishiki strengthened his position by winning Sunday’s race at Sepang after Pranata received a track-limits penalty, while Kunitate crashed at the final corner. With 50 points available in Qatar, the leader can finish the job in the opening race. Second place would guarantee the title, while finishing ahead of both rivals would also put him beyond reach before the final race.

 

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Yamaha will miss this weekend’s Qatar Grand Prix because of company-wide travel restrictions, becoming the first MotoGP team since Forward Racing in 2015 to sit out an entire round for reasons other than rider injury or unavailability. The Japanese manufacturer announced their withdrawal on Sunday after the Malaysian Grand Prix, saying its latest assessment of the situation in the Middle East had not provided sufficient grounds to lift those restrictions. The decision rules out factory riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins as well as Jack Miller from the November 6-8 event at Lusail as Yamaha plan to return at the Portuguese Grand Prix later this month. MotoGP expressed disappointment with the withdrawal and said the race would proceed, citing consultations with Qatari authorities, Lusail International Circuit and independent safety advisers. “We do not believe this decision reflects the extensive assurances provided to all championship stakeholders,” MotoGP said. The championship added the rest of the grid had confirmed their participation and also warned that Yamaha’s absence carried contractual and sporting implications, with any sporting consequences to be determined by the FIM under its regulations.

 

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Qatar was originally scheduled to host its Grand Prix in April before the regional conflict forced its postponement. An entire team missing a weekend is unusual in the modern MotoGP era since 2002, but financial and operational problems have caused several previous absences. Forward Racing skipped the 2015 Indianapolis Grand Prix after the arrest of team owner Giovanni Cuzari disrupted its funding and sponsor arrangements. The team returned at the following round in Brno, where Loris Baz finished 15th. Ilmor’s absence proved longer, as the British-based manufacturer withdrew after the opening round of the 2007 season in Qatar because of a lack of sponsorship and never returned to race in MotoGP. Team Roberts also missed six rounds in 2005 amid problems with KTM’s engine supply and support, but Kenny Roberts’ outfit returned for the Valencia finale with Kurtis Roberts riding their older Proton V5 machine. Yamaha’s withdrawal comes as the championship heads into its final three rounds, with Marc Marquez leading Jorge Martin by 44 points after winning Sunday’s race at Sepang. Fans can watch MotoGP live on SPOTV NOW.

 

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