November 13, 2026
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) confirmed on Thursday that the US U-17 national team has withdrawn from the World Cup tournament scheduled to start in Qatar next week, for security reasons.
This decision comes in light of the high state of security alert prevailing in Qatar and the Gulf region, which coincided with the start of the US military attacks on Iran last February.
According to the tournament regulations, the US Soccer Federation will face a fine of no less than 20,000 Swiss francs (equivalent to about 24,000 dollars), by decision of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, as a result of the withdrawal, which came less than 30 days before the starting whistle.
The tournament is scheduled to begin with the participation of 48 teams in the Qatari capital, Doha, next Wednesday. The American national team was preparing to begin its campaign in the group stage against the Montenegro national team on the twenty-first of this November, followed by its matches against the Chilean and Algerian national teams.
