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US Withdraws U-17 Soccer Team From Qatar World Cup 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In Short: The United States has withdrawn its U-17 men's soccer team from the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar due to safety concerns.
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FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026 set for November kick-off. africanews
The United States has withdrawn its U-17 men's soccer team from the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar, citing safety concerns and the U.S. State Department's Level 3 travel advisory for the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.
According to Arabnews, the decision was made due to security concerns in the region, with the U.S. Soccer Federation citing the State Department's travel advisory, which advises reconsidering travel to Qatar due to the risk of armed conflict.
ESPN reported that the U.S. Soccer Federation sent a letter to players and their families explaining the decision, emphasizing the well-being of players and staff as the top priority.
The tournament, scheduled from November 19 to December 13, 2026, will see 48 countries participate, but the U.S. Team will not be among them.
The decision comes amid growing security concerns in the region, including attacks by Houthi militants from neighboring Yemen, which have raised questions about the safety of hosting major sporting events.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has postponed the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia due to similar security concerns, citing substantial logistical complexities and travel disruptions.
The U.S. State Department issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Qatar on October 23, warning Americans to reconsider travel to the country due to the risk of armed conflict.
The U.S. Soccer Federation's decision reflects a broader trend of caution regarding travel to the region, with Qatar itself pulling out of hosting rugby’s 2028 Nations Championship finals due to uncertainty around conflicts.
Despite the withdrawal, the U.S. Soccer Federation expressed pride in the preparation by their players and coaches for the World Cup.
The U.S. Soccer Federation's move highlights the prioritization of player and staff safety over participation in the tournament.
What this adds
The decision comes amid growing security concerns in the region, including attacks by Houthi militants from neighboring Yemen, which have raised questions about the safety of hosting major sporting events.
The AFC's postponement of the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia due to security concerns further illustrates the impact of regional instability on international sports events.
Background
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.
What's confirmed
- Security concerns have been cited as the decision behind the initiative with the tournament set to be staged in Qatar.
- 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.
- 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.
- The 2026 tournament is scheduled to run from November 19 to December 13 in Qatar, with 48 countries participating.
- The United States is withdrawing from the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar because of security concerns, U.S. Soccer told players and their families Wednesday.
What's still developing
- 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.
- The Under-17 World Cup shifted to an annual event last year, and is being held in Qatar for five consecutive years.
- 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.
- Security concerns intensified Monday when the Houthis said they had launched drones toward Dammam airport, raising further uncertainty over whether the tournament could go ahead as planned.
Sources
- Arabnewslink
- Enlink
- Espnlink
- Espnlacrosselink
- Khaleejtimeslink
- Punchnglink
- Rglink
- The Guardianlink
- Yorkshirepostlink
- Theblazingmusketlink
- Olorisupergallink
- Sportsbusinessjournallink
- Turkiyetodaylink
- Newsofbahrainlink
- WarpBeat — background on US Withdraws From FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar Over Safety Concerns link
- africanews — video link
- CBS Evening News — video link