Citing mounting security concerns and ongoing Middle East conflicts involving Saudi Arabia and Yemen's Houthi movement, the US Soccer Federation has officially withdrawn its Under-17 national team from the upcoming FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. The decision was communicated to players and their respective clubs in an official letter on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, just a week before the tournament's scheduled kickoff.
According to Reuters, US Soccer stated that in light of current regional conditions and the US State Department's ‘Level 3’ travel advisory for Qatar—alongside restricted movement directives for embassy personnel—participating in the pre-tournament camp and the event has been canceled. The letter emphasized that "the welfare of our players and staff remains our highest priority." Players have been instructed to refrain from public comments pending formal announcements from FIFA, which has not yet issued an immediate response.
Read nextDebut Sensation Sakib Khan Claims 7 Wickets as Sri Lanka Collapse in Rawalpindi TestThe withdrawal comes on the heels of the US State Department updating its travel guidance last month, urging Americans to reconsider travel to Qatar due to armed conflict risks, specifically citing recent Houthi missile and drone strikes targeting infrastructure in the Arabian Peninsula. The expanded 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup is scheduled to run from November 19 to December 13, 2026. The United States was drawn into Group J alongside Montenegro—whom they were set to face on November 21—Chile, and Algeria.
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