The United States has withdrawn its team from the upcoming FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, citing security concerns and escalating tensions in the Middle East. According to foreign media reports, the tournament is scheduled to begin on November 19.
The US football governing body has informed players of the decision through an official letter, stating that participation is no longer considered feasible under the prevailing security conditions. The letter cited the US State Department’s Level 3 travel advisory for Qatar, along with directives concerning American embassy personnel. It emphasised that the safety and security of players and team staff remained the organisation’s highest priority.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which began in February, has also disrupted several sporting events across the region. In Saudi Arabia, venues for various competitions, including the WTA Finals, have been changed. Meanwhile, Formula One races scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have also been affected.
The United States was among 48 teams originally scheduled to compete in the Under-17 World Cup. The American side had been drawn in a group alongside Montenegro, Chile and Algeria. FIFA introduced the annual format for the Under-17 World Cup last year, with Qatar selected to host the tournament for five consecutive editions. Qatar previously hosted the senior men’s FIFA World Cup in 2022.
