The United States has withdrawn from the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar because of the risk of armed conflict, US Soccer has confirmed. In a letter sent to players and seen by news agency Reuters, the American governing body said the decision was made "in light of current circumstances." The 48-team tournament is scheduled to run from 19 November to 13 December, with the USA due to face Montenegro, Chile and Algeria in group games.
US Soccer cited advice from the US Department of State, which issued a level three travel advisory for Qatar last month. The update told Americans to reconsider travel to Qatar because of "risk of armed conflict," mentioning Houthi attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure. It warned that hostilities "have the potential to escalate rapidly beyond that immediate area." The advisory came a day after Yemen's Houthi movement carried out a deadly attack on an airport in neighbouring Saudi Arabia, while air strikes have continued on Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
"The well-being of our players and staff will always be our top priority," US Soccer said in the letter. The federation said it would notify the players' clubs and asked players not to comment publicly until their withdrawal has been announced by tournament organisers Fifa. The USA reached the last 32 of last year's Under-17 World Cup, the first of five successive editions to be held annually in Qatar.
The withdrawal comes as wider sporting disruption continues across the region. The 2027 Asian Cup, due to take place in Saudi Arabia from 7 January to 5 February, has been postponed by almost a year because of the conflict. Meanwhile, the wife of England striker Ollie Watkins, who plays in the Saudi Pro League, has taken their children back to the UK until the situation "calms down."
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