The United States Soccer Federation has formally announced its withdrawal from the FIFA U-17 World Cup scheduled to take place in Qatar, a decision influenced by safety concerns. The competition is set to commence in just over a week.
In a letter distributed to its players, the federation cited the current geopolitical climate as a critical factor in their decision. They informed the players that due to this situation, they would be cancelling their pre-tournament training camps and pulling out of the event.
The correspondence referenced a travel advisory issued by the U.S. State Department, which has designated Qatar with a Level 3 warning. This advisory alerts American citizens to the risks associated with armed conflict in the region and strongly recommends avoiding travel to Qatar. It also included directives pertaining to American embassy staff and their families.
The federation expressed its disappointment in the letter, stating, “Unfortunately, given the current situation… we can no longer participate in this tournament. The safety and well-being of our players and staff is always our top priority.”
The U.S. Soccer Federation has opted to keep the specifics of their decision private and has requested that athletes refrain from making public comments until FIFA officially announces this outcome.
As of now, FIFA has not issued any statements or comments regarding the situation.
The U-17 World Cup involves 48 competing teams and is scheduled to take place from November 19 to December 13. The U.S. team was set to face Montenegro on November 21, followed by matches against Chile and Algeria in Group J.
Qatar is set to host the tournament annually until 2029. During last year’s competition, the U.S. team made it to the round of 32.
The region’s intricate web of conflicts has already prompted the postponement or cancellation of several international sporting events. The Asian Cup, originally slated to take place in Saudi Arabia in January 2027, has been delayed by nearly a year, impacted by the ongoing conflicts between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, along with tensions in Iran. Recently, Qatar also withdrew its bid to host the 2028 Nations Championship final due to uncertainties arising from regional conflicts.
However, it is noteworthy that the final races of the Formula One season will continue as planned in the Middle East, including events on November 29 in Qatar and December 6 in Abu Dhabi.