Sports · Football · 1 hr ago
US withdraws from U-17 World Cup in Qatar over security concerns
The US Soccer Federation has withdrawn its under-17 team from the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, citing security concerns.
The US State Department has issued a Level 3 travel advisory for Qatar, advising people to reconsider travel because of the risk of armed conflict.
The team had qualified by winning its group in CONCACAF qualifying and was due to face Montenegro, Chile and Algeria.
The tournament is scheduled to run from November 19 to December 13, and the US team had planned to hold a training camp before it began.
The decision means the United States will miss the tournament, with player and staff safety given as the priority.
It is not clear which team will replace the US, and the tournament is set to go ahead in Qatar.
The US Soccer Federation has withdrawn its team from the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar over safety concerns.
The federation cited the US State Department’s Level 3 travel advisory, which urges travelers to reconsider travel to Qatar because of the risk of armed conflict.
The tournament is scheduled to run from November 19 to December 13.
The United States had been drawn in Group J with Montenegro, Algeria and Chile.
FIFA has been informed of the decision, but it is not clear which team, if any, will replace the United States.
- Who
- The US men’s under-17 team and the US Soccer Federation.
- What
- The federation withdrew the team from the FIFA U-17 World Cup.
- When
- The decision was announced on November 11, 2026.
- Where
- The tournament is being held in Qatar, with matches in Doha.
- Why
- The federation cited safety concerns and the US State Department’s travel advisory warning of a risk of armed conflict.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The US Soccer Federation announced that it was withdrawing its team from the tournament.
The U-17 World Cup is scheduled to begin in Qatar.
The tournament is scheduled to end.
- Tournament dates
- November 19 to December 13, 2026
- Host country
- Qatar
- US group
- Group J
- Group opponents
- Montenegro, Algeria and Chile
- Travel advisory
- Level 3 for Qatar
- FIFA withdrawal fine
- CHF20,000 for withdrawal within 30 days of the start
4 sources
USA pulls out of U-17 World Cup just days before it starts… amid war in the Middle East and 'risk of armed conflict'
Les États-Unis se retirent de la Coupe du monde U17 pour des raisons de sécurité
Sicherheitsbedenken: USA ziehen Team von U-17-WM zurück
US withdraw from U-17 World Cup in Qatar due to safety concerns
What people are saying
The wellbeing of our players and staff will always be our top priority.
reconsider travel to Qatar due to risk of armed conflict.