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AlUla Desert Polo 2026: Full Schedule and Star-Studded Teams Announced for Fifth Edition

The three-day program blends high-stakes competition with premium hospitality and entertainment - SPA
The three-day program blends high-stakes competition with premium hospitality and entertainment - SPA
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AlUla Desert Polo 2026: Full Schedule and Star-Studded Teams Announced for Fifth Edition

The three-day program blends high-stakes competition with premium hospitality and entertainment - SPA
The three-day program blends high-stakes competition with premium hospitality and entertainment - SPA

The AlUla Desert Polo, organised by the Royal Commission for AlUla, returns for its 5th edition next week, transforming the historic landscape into a premier destination for world-class equestrian sport. Taking place from January 16-17, 2026, the event features a star-studded lineup of international professionals, royal players, and team patrons.

The three-day program blends high-stakes competition with premium hospitality and entertainment, starting with the team presentation on January 15, 2026. Across two days of competition, six teams will contest a total of nine matches, showcasing high-level sport in the stunning setting of Mohammed Yousuf Naghi Equestrian Village, according to SPA.

AlUla Desert Polo is a flagship event that highlights the region's deep-rooted equestrian heritage while delivering a globally appealing, sophisticated sporting experience.

A total of six teams and 18 players will compete in the event, including professionals David “Pelón” Stirling Jr., Pablo MacDonough, Ignacio Figueras, Lia Salvo, Catalina Maria Lavinia, Felix Alejo Ortiz de Taranco Stirling. Joining the professionals on the pitch, royals, local players set to compete.
Lending their support and expertise to the event, team patrons for AlUla Desert Polo 2026 include Alejandro Antonio Poma Raskosky, Babar Naseem, Naveen Jindal, Venkatesh Jindal, Angus David St John Paradice, and Jennifer Rae Luttrell Benardoni.

Chief Sports Officer at Royal Commission for AlUla Ziad AlSuhaibani said: “AlUla Desert Polo has quickly become an iconic event that encapsulates elegance, elite sport, culture and fashion, to offer an experience unlike anything else. This event embodies AlUla’s incredible ability to offer visitors luxury, elegance, culture and heritage through immersive and unforgettable experiences, and has once again attracted some of the world’s best talent to compete in an iconic setting for three days of unforgettable sport.”

For those seeking an enhanced experience, the Polo Players Circle add-on offers all Premium Pass benefits along with guided access to the field before or after matches. Guests will have the opportunity to meet players, take photos, and receive exclusive event souvenirs.

Since debuting in 2020, AlUla Desert Polo has grown into an annual highlight of the AlUla Moments calendar – the year-round schedule of events and festivals celebrating sports, culture, arts, discovery, and heritage in AlUla.

Other upcoming sports events on the calendar include the professional cycling AlUla Tour (January 27-31, 2026), the AlUla Trail Race (January 22-23, 2026), and AlFursan Endurance AlUla (February 7-8, 2026) – one of the most prestigious events in endurance horse racing.

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Sports

FC Barcelona President Praises Saudi Arabia’s Sports Infrastructure

Laporta thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona - SPA
Laporta thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona - SPA
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FC Barcelona President Praises Saudi Arabia’s Sports Infrastructure

Laporta thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona - SPA
Laporta thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona - SPA

FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta said the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has established itself on the global sporting stage by hosting major events, most notably the Spanish Super Cup.

In a press statement, he praised the Kingdom’s advanced sporting facilities and infrastructure, noting that coaches and players found the training grounds to be of the highest quality, the pitches excellent, and the overall organization exemplary, SPA reported.

“We are delighted to be in Jeddah,” Laporta said, adding that the high standard of facilities is essential for teams competing over several days, and thanking the organizers for their efforts.

Commenting on Saudi Arabia hosting the 2034 FIFA World Cup, Laporta predicted a highly successful tournament, citing the country’s safety, outstanding football infrastructure, and passionate fan base. He noted that while the culture is different, cultural diversity always enriches the experience, and a World Cup held in such an atmosphere is bound to be exceptional.

Laporta also thanked Saudi fans for their strong support of FC Barcelona and expressed hope of winning the Spanish Super Cup final to bring joy to supporters in the Kingdom and around the world.

Sports

Salah and Fellow Stars Aim to Deny Morocco as AFCON Reaches Semi-final Stage

Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Quarter Final - Egypt v Ivory Coast - Adrar Stadium, Agadir, Morocco - January 10, 2026 Egypt's Mohamed Salah scores their third goal REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Quarter Final - Egypt v Ivory Coast - Adrar Stadium, Agadir, Morocco - January 10, 2026 Egypt's Mohamed Salah scores their third goal REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
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Salah and Fellow Stars Aim to Deny Morocco as AFCON Reaches Semi-final Stage

Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Quarter Final - Egypt v Ivory Coast - Adrar Stadium, Agadir, Morocco - January 10, 2026 Egypt's Mohamed Salah scores their third goal REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko
Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Quarter Final - Egypt v Ivory Coast - Adrar Stadium, Agadir, Morocco - January 10, 2026 Egypt's Mohamed Salah scores their third goal REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko

The Africa Cup of Nations has reached the semi-final stage and a tournament devoid of shocks now offers up two mouthwatering ties with hosts Morocco looking to see off the challenges of their fellow continental heavyweights.

Mohamed Salah's Egypt, Victor Osimhen's Nigeria and Sadio Mane's Senegal all remain in contention to win the trophy in Rabat next Sunday, even if home advantage still makes Morocco favorites.

World Cup semi-finalists in 2022, Morocco are Africa's top-ranked team and approach Wednesday's semi-final against Nigeria in the capital defending an unbeaten record since losing to South Africa at the last AFCON, Reuters reported.

Walid Regragui's side have conceded just one goal in five matches here and doubts about their ability to handle the enormous pressure of playing at home were blown away with their performance in beating Cameroon 2-0 in the quarter-finals.

Captain and current African player of the year Achraf Hakimi is fit again after injury, and in Real Madrid winger Brahim Diaz -- scorer of five goals in five games -- they have probably the tournament's outstanding player.

"He can become the best player in the world if he wants to," remarked Regragui after the Cameroon game.

Morocco are Africa's leading power right now and, unlike Nigeria, are gearing up for the World Cup.

But their Cup of Nations record down the years has been underwhelming. This is their first semi-final since 2004, when they lost the final to Tunisia.

Going further back, Morocco beat Nigeria en route to lifting the trophy in 1976 -- half a century on, that remains their only continental title.

Nigeria returned to Morocco with much to prove after a penalty shoot-out defeat by the Democratic Republic of Congo in a November play-off in Rabat ended their hopes of World Cup qualification.

There might be 10 African countries participating at the World Cup and it is remarkable that Nigeria -- with its footballing pedigree and the largest population on the continent -- will not be among them.

However, their performances over the last three weeks have shown that to be an anomaly.

- Egypt and Senegal meet again -

Nigeria were runners-up at the last Cup of Nations in 2024. Led by two former African players of the year in Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, they are this tournament's top scorers with 14 goals.

So what has changed from the failed World Cup qualifying campaign?

"Nothing," said coach Eric Chelle, appointed exactly a year ago. "This is the same team. The difference is just that they have improved because they know what I want."

Shocks have been effectively non-existent at this AFCON but Nigeria's presence means four of the five top-ranked African teams are in the semis -- the exception is Algeria, beaten by the Super Eagles on Saturday.

Wednesday's other semi-final in Tangiers between Egypt and Senegal is a repeat of the 2022 final, which the Lions of Teranga won on penalties.

Senegal, ranked second in Africa and 19th in the world, were seen as the biggest threat to Morocco before the tournament and stand one game away from a third final appearance in four editions.

They have an experienced side which includes Mane, who will come up against his old Liverpool teammate Salah.

Their presence means the last five players to win the African player of the year prize are all in the semi-finals.

Salah, who like Osimhen has four goals at the tournament, has never won AFCON, having twice been a losing finalist.

He came to Morocco having fallen from favor at his club but seems to have found happiness again with his national team as he looks to fire Egypt to a record-extending eighth title.

"I have won almost every honor, but this is the one I am waiting for," said Salah after the quarter-final win over Ivory Coast, before insisting the Pharaohs are now the outsiders.

"We are coming up against really good teams, most of whose players are based in Europe, which makes it easier for them.

"We have very good players but most play in Egypt. We have three players playing abroad but all of them are in a difficult situation -- none of them are playing for their clubs just now," he added, with a nod to his own problems at Anfield.

Sports

Zidane Experiment for Algeria Backfires at Cup of Nations

Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Quarter Final - Algeria v Nigeria - Grand Stadium of Marrakech, Marrakesh, Morocco - January 10, 2026 Algeria's Luca Zidane reacts after the match REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Quarter Final - Algeria v Nigeria - Grand Stadium of Marrakech, Marrakesh, Morocco - January 10, 2026 Algeria's Luca Zidane reacts after the match REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
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Zidane Experiment for Algeria Backfires at Cup of Nations

Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Quarter Final - Algeria v Nigeria - Grand Stadium of Marrakech, Marrakesh, Morocco - January 10, 2026 Algeria's Luca Zidane reacts after the match REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh
Soccer Football - CAF Africa Cup of Nations - Morocco 2025 - Quarter Final - Algeria v Nigeria - Grand Stadium of Marrakech, Marrakesh, Morocco - January 10, 2026 Algeria's Luca Zidane reacts after the match REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh

Algeria's hopes of solving a goalkeeping crisis with a big name flopped at the Africa Cup of Nations and they will need to look for alternatives before the World Cup kicks off later this year, according to Reuters.

Luca Zidane, ​the son of World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, was plucked from the obscurity of Spanish second tier to help Algeria with a dearth of goalkeeping talent but it was a gamble that backfired on Saturday.

Zidane's goalkeeping was anything but convincing as Algeria went out 2-0 to Nigeria in their quarter-final in Marrakech.

A bizarre jump rather than a dive to try and stop Victor Osimhen's back-post header gifted Nigeria the lead early in the second half and poor distribution ‌from Zidane allowed ‌the opponents to steal possession and score again 10 ‌minutes ⁠later.

There ​had ‌been much attention when Zidane was invited to play for Algeria, the country where his famous father's parents hail from, and he was also in a stark spotlight once the Cup of Nations in Morocco kicked off.

While Luca Zidane made two appearances at Real Madrid when his father coached there, he failed to properly break through and has spent six of the last seven seasons in the second tier of Spanish ⁠football.

Algeria's first choice over the past five years has been Anthony Mandrea, who played in Ligue 1 ‌with Angers. However, when his latest club Caen were ‍relegated to the French third division ‍last season, Algeria coach Vladimir Petkovic said he would not consider selecting ‍a player from as low a league level.

The 27-year-old Zidane, who like his three brothers won caps for France at junior level, switched his international eligibility in September to be a backup for Alexis Guendouz, who had moved up to be Algeria's first choice.

Guendouz, however, ​was injured on the eve of the tournament, thrusting Zidane into the side.

FLOUNDERING AS NIGERIA TURNED THE SCREWS

He played in two of ⁠the three group games without conceding and kept another clean sheet behind a solid defense in the last-16 win over the Democratic Republic of Congo.

But in the firing line against a rampant Nigeria, Zidane was found wanting, fortunate to see the ball cleared off the line in the first half when he ventured off his line for a free kick but misjudged the flight of the ball, and then was caught floundering several times in the second half as Nigeria turned the screws and went on to win comfortably.

Zidane, whose parents were in Morocco to watch him, will be hoping he stays in contention for Algeria's World Cup campaign where they are ‌drawn in Group J against Argentina, Jordan and Austria.

But his performances will leave Petkovic contemplating other options for the tournament in North America.