The United States has withdrawn from the 2026 U17 World Cup in Qatar, citing concerns over player and staff safety due to conflicts in the region.

The last-minute decision comes just eight days before the 48-team competition begins on November 19, leaving FIFA facing questions over a potential replacement and the implications of the withdrawal.

US Soccer informed its players on Wednesday that both its pre-tournament training camp and World Cup campaign had been cancelled, pointing to the US State Department's Level 3 travel advisory for Qatar.

Issued on October 23, the advisory urged American citizens to reconsider travelling to the country due to the risk of armed conflict amid heightened tensions across the Middle East. The warning also requires US government employees to obtain special authorisation before travelling to Qatar.

In a letter sent to players, US Soccer acknowledged the disappointment surrounding the decision but maintained that safety remained its overriding concern.

"We are writing to inform you of the difficult decision to cancel our World Cup pre-camp and our planned participation in the World Cup," the federation wrote.

"We are extremely proud of the preparation by our players and coaches to represent the US in the World Cup."

The federation said the travel advisory and restrictions affecting embassy personnel had made participation untenable.

"The well-being of our players and staff will always be our top priority," the letter continued.

The withdrawal comes as a significant blow to the American squad, with head coach Alex Aldaz having named his 21-player tournament roster just last week.

The United States had been scheduled to begin its campaign against Montenegro on November 21 before facing Chile and Algeria in its remaining group-stage fixtures.

Instead, the players will miss the opportunity to compete on the international stage despite having completed their preparations for the tournament.

US Soccer has not publicly detailed the internal discussions behind the decision, with a federation spokesperson declining to elaborate on how officials reached their conclusion.

FIFA was reportedly informed of the withdrawal on Wednesday, although uncertainty remains over whether another nation will take the USA's place.

Under FIFA regulations, a nation withdrawing within 30 days of the tournament's opening match faces a minimum fine of 20,000 Swiss francs (approximately A$35,000).

The regulations also allow FIFA to appoint a replacement nation, meaning the governing body could be forced to make a late adjustment to the tournament's line-up.

The situation presents an additional challenge for FIFA, which awarded Qatar hosting rights for five consecutive editions of the men's U17 World Cup from 2025 to 2029.

The expanded 48-team tournament is scheduled to run until December 13, with most matches taking place at Doha's Aspire Zone complex and the final at Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

The latest withdrawal adds to a growing list of international sporting events affected by instability in the Middle East.

The 2027 AFC Asian Cup, originally scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia in January, has been postponed amid the regional conflict.

Qatar has also withdrawn from hosting the 2028 Rugby Nations Championship finals, while several other sporting competitions have faced cancellations, relocations or scheduling disruptions.

Despite the uncertainty, Formula One's final two rounds of the 2026 season remain scheduled for Qatar on November 29 and Abu Dhabi on December 6.

For FIFA, the immediate priority will be determining how the U17 World Cup proceeds without one of its qualified nations, particularly with the opening matches fast approaching.

zoe malliaris
zoe malliaris
Zoe Malliaris is a sports journalist who also works as a radio producer at 3AW, with experience across digital, broadcast and social media. She covers the latest news and talking points across the sporting world, with a particular love for AFL.
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