US PULLS OUT FROM U-17 WORLD CUP IN QATAR — REPORTS
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Citing security apprehensions stemming from the ongoing hostilities involving Iran, the United States has reportedly pulled its U-17 men‘s national team from the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup scheduled to take place in Qatar.
The ruling was conveyed to the players and staff on Wednesday, following consultations between the US Soccer Federation and its internal security team, as well as the US State Department.
In a Wednesday report released by The Guardian, the federation referenced a formal communication to players highlighting significant safety apprehensions, while simultaneously invoking a United States State Department travel advisory that recommends Americans reconsider their journeys to Qatar due to the potential threat of armed conflict.
Yahoo Sports released its own report on Wednesday, citing an individual privy to the decision who remarked that dispatching sixteen- and seventeen-year–olds to the tournament under those circumstances was untenable.
Another report confirming the nation’s position from AFP said the federation notified FIFA, its players and staff of the decision on Wednesday morning.
In the letter to the players, the federation said, “Unfortunately, in light of current circumstances including the U.S. State Department’s Level 3 Travel Advisory for Qatar and related directives for Embassy staff and families, we are no longer able to participate in the tournament. The well-being of our players and staff will always be our top priority.”
The US had earlier relocated its pre-tournament training camp from Qatar to its national training centre near Atlanta as a precaution.
The Americans were drawn in Group J alongside Montenegro, Chile and Algeria and were scheduled to begin their campaign against Montenegro on November 21.
The 2026 tournament is scheduled to run from November 19 to December 13 in Qatar, with 48 countries participating.
The withdrawal came just hours after FIFA announced on Wednesday that the official squad lists for all 48 participating teams had been confirmed.
The US Soccer Federation had named its 21-man squad on November 6, with head coach Alex Aldaz selecting players from clubs in the United States and Europe.
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