US pulls out from U-17 World Cup in Qatar — Reports

The United States has decided to pull out of the upcoming Under-17 soccer World Cup in Qatar due to security concerns in the Middle East. The decision was communicated to players just a week before the tournament was set to commence on November 19. The US Soccer Federation informed the athletes of their cancellation through a letter, expressing their pride in the players' and coaches' preparations.

However, the players' and staff's well-being took precedence, leading to the withdrawal. The crisis in the Middle East, which escalated in February with US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has led to a travel advisory by the US State Department for Qatar. This advisory, combined with repeated threats from the US and Israel, has made participation in the tournament impossible.

The ongoing conflict has also impacted other sporting events in the region, such as the tennis WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, the Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah, and races in Bahrain. Several events in Saudi Arabia have also been cancelled or postponed due to attacks by the Houthis in Yemen. The Under-17 World Cup, previously held biennially, is now an annual event, and Qatar has been chosen as the host for five consecutive years.

FIFA's decision to select a single host nation for multiple editions aimed to optimize resources and promote sustainability in the tournament.