Morocco and Portugal host a unique edition of the Dakar Rally.

David Castera, the Dakar Rally director, stated that "the 49th edition of the Dakar Rally, after its relocation, will meet the sporting standards that have always made it one of the toughest rally races."

He added: "Despite the limited time available to us, we have designed a true Dakar Rally."

The total distance of the 2027 Dakar Rally will be approximately 7,824 kilometers, including 4,341 kilometers of special stages, starting from Loulé-Faro to Marrakech.

The Amaury Sport Organization reported on Sunday that the decision to move the Dakar Rally out of Saudi Arabia was "exceptional and a one-time decision only."

The Dakar Rally will return for its 50th edition in 2028 to the Kingdom, which has hosted the event since 2020.

Hosting the race in Morocco marks the return of the Dakar Rally to Africa for the first time since 2008. This event began in 1978 as a race starting from Paris, crossing the Sahara Desert to the Senegalese capital Dakar in West Africa, and is still considered the toughest challenge in motorsport worldwide.

The subsequent editions were held in South America between 2009 and 2019, after the race left Africa for security reasons.

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The organization stated in a release: "The Algarve region will host the preliminary stage and the first special stage, while Morocco will host 11 stages and a rest day in Agadir, allowing the rally to traverse its territory from north to south."

The 49th edition of the Dakar Rally, originally scheduled from January 1 to 15, will now take place from January 9 to 23, pending approval from the World Motor Sport Council of the FIA.

David Castera, the Dakar Rally director, stated that "the 49th edition of the Dakar Rally, after its relocation, will meet the sporting standards that have always made it one of the toughest rally races."

He added: "Despite the limited time available to us, we have designed a true Dakar Rally."

The total distance of the 2027 Dakar Rally will be approximately 7,824 kilometers, including 4,341 kilometers of special stages, starting from Loulé-Faro to Marrakech.

The Amaury Sport Organization reported on Sunday that the decision to move the Dakar Rally out of Saudi Arabia was "exceptional and a one-time decision only."

The Dakar Rally will return for its 50th edition in 2028 to the Kingdom, which has hosted the event since 2020.

Hosting the race in Morocco marks the return of the Dakar Rally to Africa for the first time since 2008. This event began in 1978 as a race starting from Paris, crossing the Sahara Desert to the Senegalese capital Dakar in West Africa, and is still considered the toughest challenge in motorsport worldwide.

The subsequent editions were held in South America between 2009 and 2019, after the race left Africa for security reasons.