{"id":15747,"date":"2026-11-12T13:10:58","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T13:10:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=15747"},"modified":"2026-11-12T13:10:58","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T13:10:58","slug":"fifa-under-17-world-cup-to-kick-off-in-qatar-despite-us-withdrawal-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sotnews.agency\/?p=15747","title":{"rendered":"FIFA Under-17 World Cup to kick off in Qatar despite US withdrawal | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FIFA says its \u2018security assessments\u2019 for the 48-team tournament remain unchanged after US Soccer pulled out.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Published On 12 Nov 2026<\/span>12 Nov 2026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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FIFA says the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar will kick off as scheduled on November 19, despite the United States\u2019 decision to withdraw its team from the tournament.<\/p>\n

US Soccer withdrew its national team citing safety concerns, but the sport\u2019s global governing body, which is hosting the tournament in Qatar, confirmed on Thursday that its plans remain unchanged.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe safety and security of all participants and fans remain paramount. As with all FIFA tournaments and events, we are in close contact with the relevant authorities and \u200c\u200c\u200c\u200care looking forward to the tournament kickoff in Qatar,\u201d FIFA told Al Jazeera in a statement hours after the USA\u2019s announcement.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn recent months, Qatar has successfully hosted several international events,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n

Qatar hosted two major international tournaments in the past two weeks.<\/p>\n

MotoGP\u2019s Qatar Grand Prix was successfully held on 8 and the FIP Padel World Cup 2026 concluded on the same day.<\/p>\n

With a week until the Under-17 World Cup kicks off, FIFA confirmed that its security assessments \u201cremain unchanged\u201d and that no new \u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060developments affecting the security situation around the tournament have occurred.<\/p>\n

\u201cFIFA understands that US Soccer\u2019s decision was made in light of the existing US \u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060Level 3 travel advisory,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n

In a letter sent to players, the US Soccer Federation \u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060said it was cancelling the team\u2019s pre-tournament camp and its participation in the event \u201cin light of current circumstances\u201d, according to the Reuters news agency.<\/p>\n

The US State Department updated its advisory for Qatar last month, urging Americans to reconsider travel because of the risk of armed conflict.<\/p>\n

The update referred to Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian \u200c\u200c\u200c\u200cairports and critical infrastructure.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe well-being of our players and staff will always be our top priority,\u201d the US federation\u2019s letter said.<\/p>\n

The 48-team Under-17 tournament runs from November 19 to December 13. USA had been due \u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060to open against Montenegro on November 21 before \u2060\u2060\u2060\u2060facing Chile and Algeria in Group J.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium will host the final of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup [Sorin Furcoi\/Al Jazeera]<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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FIFA says its \u2018security assessments\u2019 for the 48-team tournament remain unchanged after US Soccer pulled out. Published On 12 Nov 202612 Nov 2026 FIFA says the Under-17 World Cup in Qatar will kick off as scheduled on November 19, despite the United States\u2019 decision to withdraw its team from the tournament. US Soccer withdrew its…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_2277560469115098_106292521332774":"","twitter_aToxNzczMzI3Njk4OTg4ODUxMjAxOw==_1773327698988851200":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_templately_pack_id":"","_templately_imported_at":"","_templately_source":"","_templately_import_session_id":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15747","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-international-news"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t