RismadarVoice Reporters
November 12, 2026
The United States has withdrawn its Under-17 men’s national football team from the 2026 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, citing security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The decision was communicated to players and coaching staff on Wednesday, November 11, just eight days before the tournament’s scheduled opening.
According to Reuters and Agence France-Presse (AFP), the US Soccer Federation informed the squad that it was cancelling both its pre-tournament training camp and participation in the competition.
The federation cited the US State Department’s Level 3 travel advisory for Qatar, which urges American citizens to reconsider travelling to the country because of the risk of armed conflict.
The advisory also includes security directives affecting American embassy personnel and their families.
In a letter obtained by international news agencies, US Soccer emphasised that protecting players and staff remained its highest priority.
The decision followed consultations involving federation officials and security advisers amid heightened tensions across the region.
A source familiar with the development told Yahoo Sports that sending teenage footballers to Qatar under the prevailing security conditions was considered unacceptable.
The federation had earlier moved its pre-tournament training camp from Qatar to its national training centre near Atlanta as a precautionary measure.
The United States was drawn in Group J alongside Montenegro, Chile and Algeria.
The Americans were scheduled to begin their campaign against Montenegro on November 21 before facing Chile on November 24 and Algeria on November 27.
Head coach Alex Aldaz had announced a 21-player squad on November 6, featuring players from clubs in the United States and Europe.
The tournament, involving 48 national teams, is scheduled to take place from November 19 to December 13.
Qatar is hosting the competition annually from 2025 through 2029 under FIFA’s expanded tournament arrangement.
The withdrawal comes amid wider disruptions to international sporting activities caused by security concerns in the Middle East.
Several events across the region have been postponed, cancelled or relocated following the escalation of hostilities involving Iran and attacks attributed to Yemen’s Houthi movement.
US Soccer reportedly informed FIFA of its decision and began notifying the affected players’ clubs.
As of the latest reports, FIFA had not publicly confirmed whether another national team would replace the United States in Group J.
The withdrawal does not mean the tournament itself has been cancelled, with preparations for the competition continuing in Qatar.
