Team USA withdraws from FIFA U-17 World Cup amid State Department travel warning in Middle East
U.S. Soccer has withdrawn its under-17 men’s national team from the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, citing safety concerns and a U.S. State Department travel warning.
The U.S. Soccer Federation notified players in a letter that it was canceling both its pre-tournament camp and participation in the competition. The decision comes eight days before the tournament’s scheduled kickoff on November 19.
The federation pointed to the government’s Level 3 travel advisory and related directives affecting embassy staff and their families. The advisory, issued on October 23, urges Americans to reconsider travel to Qatar because of the risk of armed conflict.
The State Department’s warning cites attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi forces against civilian airports and other infrastructure in neighboring Saudi Arabia. It also identifies risks to civilian aviation from regional political and military tensions.
Americans who travel to Qatar are urged to prepare to shelter in place and have an emergency departure plan that does not depend on U.S. government assistance. The advisory follows a March incident in which an Iranian missile struck Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base.
Roster and qualification
The withdrawal ends a World Cup opportunity less than a week after head coach Alex Aldaz announced his 21-player roster on November 6. The Americans were scheduled to open against Montenegro on November 21, face Chile on November 24, and finish Group J play against Algeria on November 27.
The roster included Philadelphia Union forward Malik Jakupovic, who scored eight goals during qualifying, and players affiliated with European clubs such as AC Milan, Ajax, and PSV. Nine members of that qualifying squad were included on the World Cup roster.
The United States earned its place in February by winning its qualifying group in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Americans beat the hosts 8-0 and St. Kitts and Nevis 10-0 before clinching qualification with a 1-1 draw against the Dominican Republic.
Tournament context
This year’s competition is the second under the tournament’s expanded annual, 48-team format. It is also the second of five consecutive editions awarded to Qatar.
FIFA has scheduled the competition to run through December 13. The tournament’s official squad lists were published on Wednesday, outlining plans for 104 matches and a final at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
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