US withdraws from U-17 World Cup in Qatar over safety

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 12 Nov, 00:02 · Archive

The US Soccer Federation has withdrawn from the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, citing safety concerns amid Middle East conflicts.

The US Soccer Federation has withdrawn its men's team from the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, which was scheduled to run from 19 November to 13 December. The federation cited safety concerns for players and staff in a letter to athletes, referring to the US state department's travel advisory for Qatar. That advisory, classified as Level 3, warns citizens to 'reconsider travel to Qatar due to risk of armed conflict' and requires government employees to obtain special authorization to travel there.

The federation stated: 'The wellbeing of our players and staff will always be our top priority.' A US Soccer spokesperson declined to provide details about how the decision was reached. The announcement came a week after coach Alex Aldaz announced the squad for the competition. Players had been scheduled to begin their tournament on 21 November against Montenegro, after a training camp at US Soccer's new headquarters near Atlanta.

FIFA's regulations stipulate that qualified nations must participate in U-17 World Cups or face fines of around $24,000 for withdrawals within 30 days of the tournament's start. FIFA was informed of the withdrawal on Wednesday. This decision reflects broader instability in the Middle East; the 2027 Asian Cup, the continental football championship, was also postponed by nearly a year due to regional conflicts, having been due to take place in Saudi Arabia in January 2027.

How it is being reported

• Team USA withdraws from FIFA U-17 World Cup amid State Department travel warning in Middle EastU.S. Soccer pulled its U-17 men's team from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, citing a State Department Level 3 travel advisory over armed conflict risks.Fox News · 12 Nov, 00:45
• USA pulls out of U-17 World Cup just days before it starts… amid war in the Middle East and 'risk of armed conflict'The US Soccer Federation is withdrawing its team from the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar amid growing security concern over the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, according to multiple reports.Daily Mail Sport · 11 Nov, 23:48
• US withdraw from U-17 World Cup in Qatar due to safety concernsUSSF cites state department advisory about Qatar Competition set to kick off in eight days The United States men’s national team have pulled out of the Fifa U-17 World Cup, due to kick off in Qatar in just over a week. In a letter sent to players explaining the decision, the US Soccer Federation cited safety concerns for players and staff, referring them to the US state department’s travel advisory for Qatar, which encourages citizens to reconsider travel to the country “due to risk of armed conflict” and asks government employees to obtain special authorization to do so. “Unfortunately, in…Guardian Sport · 11 Nov, 21:54

In this story: US Soccer Federation · United States · Qatar · FIFA · Montenegro

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