LOS ANGELES — The United States has withdrawn from the upcoming Under-17 soccer World Cup in Qatar due to concerns about security in the Middle East, US media reported Wednesday (Thursday in Manila).
Players were informed of the decision just over a week before the tournament is due to begin on Nov. 19, US Soccer Collective and The Athletic reported, citing anonymous sources.
US Soccer, the sport’s governing body in the United States, did not immediately confirm the news or respond to Agence France-Presse’s (AFP) request for comment.
The war in the Middle East began in February with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which retaliated by targeting, among others, Gulf countries allied with Washington.
Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have been punctuated by repeated threats from the United States and Israel to resume bombardments of Iran.
Multiple sporting events in the Middle East have been affected, including the tennis WTA Finals which were scheduled to be held in Saudi Arabia — which neighbors Qatar — but are instead now taking place at Indian Wells in the US.
This season’s Formula One Grand Prix in Jeddah was canceled, while the race in Bahrain was called off and later rescheduled under the same name in Malaysia.
Several events in Saudi Arabia have also been canceled or postponed in recent weeks following attacks on the country by the Houthis in Yemen.
The US is one of 48 teams scheduled to play in the Under-17 World Cup, in a group with Montenegro, Chile and Algeria.
The Under-17 World Cup shifted to an annual event last year, and is being held in Qatar for five consecutive years.
