US withdraws from U-17 World Cup in Qatar over security warning

The United States has withdrawn its team from the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar. US Soccer took the decision on Wednesday. According to multiple reports, safety concerns and a US State Department warning about the risk of armed conflict are behind the decision.

The federation told players in a letter that it was cancelling both its pre-tournament camp and participation in the competition, pointing to the government's Level 3 travel advisory and related directives affecting embassy staff and families. 'The well-being of our players and staff will always be our top priority,' the letter said.

The State Department's 23 October advisory urges Americans to reconsider travel to Qatar because of the risk of armed conflict. US government employees must obtain special authorization to travel there. Americans who travel to Qatar are urged to prepare to shelter in place and have an emergency departure plan that does not depend on US government assistance.

The advisory cites attacks by Iranian-backed Houthi forces against civilian airports and other infrastructure in neighbouring Saudi Arabia, warning that the hostilities could spread rapidly beyond the immediate area. It also identifies risks to civilian aviation from regional political and military tensions.

An Iranian missile previously struck Qatar's Al-Udeid Air Base in March; Qatari officials reported no injuries. Nonemergency US government employees and their families were also reported to have been ordered out of Saudi Arabia on 23 October over safety concerns.

The withdrawal comes just eight days before the tournament's scheduled kickoff. The competition is scheduled to start on 19 November and, under FIFA's schedule, run through 13 December. Head coach Alex Aldaz had announced his 21-player roster on 6 November; less than a week later, that World Cup opportunity has ended for the American players.

Under the schedule, the United States was to open Group J play against Montenegro on 21 November, then face Chile on 24 November and finish group play against Algeria on 27 November.

The roster included Philadelphia Union forward Malik Jakupovic, who scored eight goals during qualifying, and players affiliated with European clubs including AC Milan, Ajax and PSV.

The United States earned its place in February, winning its qualifying group in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Americans beat the hosts 8-0 and St. Kitts and Nevis 10-0 before clinching qualification with a 1-1 draw against the Dominican Republic. Nine members of that qualifying squad were included on the World Cup roster.

This year's competition is the second under the tournament'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 and a final at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.