US withdraw from U-17 World Cup in Qatar due to safety concerns
The US men's national team has withdrawn from the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar due to safety concerns, citing the US State Department's travel advisory for the country.
In a letter to players, the US Soccer Federation explained the decision, referencing the US State Department's advisory that encourages citizens to reconsider travel to Qatar "due to risk of armed conflict" and requires special authorization for government employees. "The wellbeing of our players and staff will always be our top priority," the letter stated.
Regulatory Consequences
FIFA regulations mandate that qualified nations must participate in tournaments or face fines. Withdrawing within 30 days of the tournament's start results in a CHF20,000 (about $24,000) penalty. FIFA was informed of the US decision on Wednesday, though the federation declined to provide details about its decision-making process.
Regional Impact
The ongoing Middle East conflicts have already affected international sporting events. The 2027 Asian Cup was postponed nearly a year due to Saudi Arabia's conflict with Houthi rebels and Iran. Qatar also withdrew from hosting rugby's 2028 Nations Championship finals. Despite these concerns, Formula One races are still scheduled for Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi on December 6.
Unfortunately, in light of current circumstances … we are no longer able to participate in the tournament.
Tournament Status
The U-17 World Cup is still set to begin November 19 in Doha. The US team, which doesn't feature household names but includes promising young players from MLS and abroad, was scheduled to play in Group J against Montenegro, Algeria and Chile.
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