The United States has withdrawn its Under-17 men’s national team from the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar over security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran.
The decision was communicated to players and officials on Wednesday after the US Soccer Federation consulted its security team and the US State Department. The federation cited a Level 3 travel advisory warning Americans to reconsider travelling to Qatar due to the risk of armed conflict.
In a letter to players, the federation said the safety and well-being of its players and staff remained its top priority, adding that the prevailing security situation had made it impossible for the team to participate.
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, with their opening match against Montenegro scheduled for November 21.
The 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup is scheduled to take place in Qatar from November 19 to December 13, featuring 48 countries.
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