USA withdraw from U17 World Cup

What the report says

The United States has withdrawn from the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar, which is due to begin next week, after citing safety concerns linked to the risk of armed conflict. According to BBC Sport, US Soccer informed players in a letter that the decision was made in light of current circumstances and after guidance from the US Department of State.

The state department had issued a level three travel advisory for Qatar last month, urging Americans to reconsider travel because of the risk of armed conflict. The BBC report said the advisory referred to recent Houthi attacks on civilian airports and critical infrastructure in the region and warned that hostilities could escalate quickly beyond the immediate area. US Soccer said the safety and well-being of players and staff would remain its top priority.

The 48-team tournament is scheduled to run from 19 November to 13 December in Qatar. The USA had been set to face Montenegro, Chile and Algeria in the group stage. The team reached the last 32 at last year’s Under-17 World Cup, which has been staged annually in Qatar for five straight editions.

The withdrawal adds to the wider uncertainty affecting sporting events in the Middle East as regional tensions continue.