U.S. Soccer Withdraws Boys’ U-17 Team from FIFA World Cup Over Security Concerns
The U.S. soccer body has withdrawn its boys' Under-17 team from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, citing security concerns in the Gulf region and a U.S. Level 3 travel advisory.
Waco Temple Bryan, TX, November 12, 2026 —
The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced the withdrawal of its boys’ Under-17 national team from the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The decision was reportedly made due to unspecified security concerns within the Gulf region.
In conjunction with the security concerns, the federation also cited a U.S. Level 3 travel advisory, which typically advises citizens to reconsider travel due to widespread risks. The specific details regarding the nature of the security concerns or the exact timeframe of the advisory were not immediately available.
The withdrawal impacts the participation of the U.S. U-17 squad in the prestigious international tournament, which is scheduled to be held in Qatar. Further information regarding the operational impact of this withdrawal on the tournament or potential replacements for the U.S. team was not provided. The U.S. Soccer Federation has not released further details beyond the initial statement regarding the reasons for the decision.
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