U.S. Soccer has withdrawn its under-17 men’s national team from the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, citing safety concerns tied to a State Department travel advisory for the region.
The federation informed players by letter on Wednesday that it was canceling the team’s pre-tournament camp and its participation in the competition, pointing to the government’s Level 3 travel advisory for Qatar and related directives affecting U.S. embassy staff and their families.
“The well-being of our players and staff will always be our top priority,” the letter said.
The withdrawal comes just eight days before the tournament’s scheduled Nov. 19 kickoff. FIFA’s event is set to run through Dec. 13.
The State Department issued its advisory on Oct. 23, urging Americans to reconsider travel to Qatar because of the risk of armed conflict. U.S. government employees must now obtain special authorization before traveling there. The advisory cites attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi forces on civilian airports and infrastructure in neighboring Saudi Arabia, warning that hostilities could spread quickly beyond that immediate area. It also flags risks to civilian aviation from broader regional tensions, and advises Americans in Qatar to be prepared to shelter in place and to have an emergency departure plan that doesn’t rely on U.S. government help.
The warning follows an Iranian missile strike on Qatar’s Al-Udeid Air Base in March, which Qatari officials said caused no injuries. On Oct. 23, the U.S. also ordered nonemergency government employees and their families out of Saudi Arabia over safety concerns.
A Roster Built, Then Grounded
The decision ends a World Cup opportunity for the American players less than a week after head coach Alex Aldaz announced his 21-player roster on Nov. 6. The U.S. had been scheduled to open Group J play against Montenegro on Nov. 21, face Chile on Nov. 24 and close out against Algeria on Nov. 27.
The roster included Philadelphia Union forward Malik Jakupovic, who scored eight goals during qualifying, along with players affiliated with European clubs such as AC Milan, Ajax and PSV. Nine members of the squad that qualified for the tournament were also named to the World Cup roster.
The U.S. had secured its spot in February by winning its qualifying group in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, defeating the hosts 8-0 and St. Kitts and Nevis 10-0 before clinching qualification with a 1-1 draw against the Dominican Republic.
This year’s tournament is the second staged under FIFA’s expanded, annual 48-team format, and the second of five consecutive editions awarded to Qatar. FIFA published the tournament’s official squad lists on Wednesday, outlining plans for 104 matches culminating in a final at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.
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