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US Withdraws From FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar Over Safety Concerns
Confirmed
In Short: The United States has withdrawn its U-17 men's soccer team from the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, citing safety concerns and the U.S. State Department's Level 3 travel advisory for the country.
In a letter to players, the U.S. Soccer Federation cited safety concerns for players and staff, referring them to the travel advisory.
The U.S. State Department's advisory also asks government employees to obtain special authorization to travel to Qatar, reflecting heightened security concerns.
The Under-17 World Cup, an annual event since last year, is scheduled to run from November 19 to December 13 in Qatar, with 48 countries participating.
FIFA's regulations stipulate that qualified nations must participate in the tournament or face fines. Withdrawal within 30 days of the tournament's start results in a fine of CHF20,000 (about $24,000).
The decision to hold the tournament in Qatar for five consecutive years was based on the ability to use existing footballing infrastructure for tournament efficiencies and sustainability.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has also postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia due to regional security concerns, logistical challenges, and travel disruptions.
Security concerns intensified when the Houthis announced they had launched drones toward Dammam airport, raising further uncertainty over the tournament's safety.
What this adds
The decision by the U.S. to withdraw from the tournament highlights the growing security concerns in the region, affecting not just the Asian Cup but also other sporting events.
What's confirmed
- Soccer has pulled its youth national team out of the Qatar-based FIFA men’s Under-17 World Cup over safety concerns, the federation confirmed to ESPN.
What's still developing
- LOS ANGELES: The United States has withdrawn from the upcoming Under-17 soccer World Cup in Qatar due to concerns about security in the Middle East, US media reported Wednesday.
- Announcing its host decision in 2024, FIFA said the decision to choose a single host nation for multiple editions centered on the ability to make “use of existing footballing infrastructure in the interest of tournament efficiencies and sustainability.” Qatar was the venue for the 2022 men’s World Cup.
- Gulf nation Qatar has been awarded hosting rights by FIFA through to 2029 but political tension and uncertainty in the region appears to be behind the decision by US Soccer to withdraw the United States U-17 men’s team from the event.
- FIFA published official squad lists for all 48 teams, including the U.S., on Wednesday.
- "I'm a sportsman and am never happy with being second," he said.
- The revised dates will be submitted to world football governing body FIFA for approval.