Washington: The US has withdrawn its men's national team from the FIFA Under 17 World Cup in Qatar, citing security concerns linked to the conflict in the Middle East, just eight days before the tournament is scheduled to begin.
The US Soccer Federation (US Soccer) informed players of the decision on Wednesday, November 11, in a letter confirming the cancellation of both the team's pre tournament training camp and its participation in the competition.
The federation cited the US State Department's Level 3 travel advisory for Qatar, which urges American citizens to reconsider travelling to the country because of the risk of armed conflict.
In its letter, US Soccer said the decision was based on the security situation and restrictions affecting American embassy personnel and their families. "The well being of our players and staff will always be our top priority," the federation said.
The withdrawal comes after the US State Department updated its travel advisory on October 23, warning of security risks linked to hostilities in the region, including attacks by Yemen's Houthi movement against Saudi Arabia.
The conflict escalated in February following joint American and Israeli strikes on Iran, prompting retaliatory attacks across the region and disrupting commercial flights and international events.
The Under 17 World Cup is scheduled to take place from November 19 to December 13, with 48 teams competing in Qatar. The US had been drawn in Group J alongside Montenegro, Chile and Algeria, with its opening match scheduled against Montenegro on November 21.
Head coach Alex Aldaz had announced a 21 player squad on November 6, including nine players who had participated in the team's World Cup qualifying campaign. US Soccer said it would notify the players' clubs about the decision and asked squad members not to comment publicly until football's governing body, FIFA, issued an announcement.
FIFA had not immediately responded to requests for comment, leaving questions over how the vacant place in the tournament would be addressed. The decision adds to disruptions affecting sporting competitions across the Middle East.
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Finals, originally scheduled for Saudi Arabia, were moved to Indian Wells in the United States, while Formula One races in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain were also affected by regional security concerns.
Other competitions have faced postponements and venue changes as organisers assess travel conditions and risks to participants.
Qatar, which hosted the men's FIFA World Cup in 2022, was awarded hosting rights for five consecutive editions of the Under 17 tournament from 2025 to 2029. FIFA announced the arrangement in 2024 as part of its decision to make the tournament an annual competition, citing the benefits of using existing stadiums and infrastructure.
The US participated in the 2025 edition in Qatar but was eliminated in the round of 32. Its withdrawal from this year's competition highlights the impact of the Middle East conflict on international sport, with national federations increasingly required to weigh security advisories against participation commitments.
Under FIFA regulations, teams withdrawing shortly before a tournament may face disciplinary measures, although no decision concerning the United States had been announced. The tournament remains scheduled to begin on November 19, with FIFA yet to confirm whether another team will replace the US.
