FIFA Keeps Qatar Under-17 World Cup on Schedule After US Withdrawal, Says Security Assessment Unchanged

U.S. Soccer told its under-17 players on Wednesday that it was withdrawing from the World Cup in Qatar. FIFA has since confirmed the exit, held to its schedule and said nothing about the security picture has changed.

Infantino spoke in Doha on Thursday, Nov. 12. "Every country, every national team knows best by themselves what they want to do, they decide," he said. "What I can say is that everyone is welcome in Doha, everyone is safe in Doha."

The tournament opens Nov. 19 and runs through Dec. 13, with 48 teams.

FIFA's position

FIFA said in a statement that "no new developments affecting the security situation of the tournament have occured" and that its security assessments "remain unchanged." It said it was "in close contact with the relevant authorities and are looking forward to the tournament kick-off in Qatar."

The governing body also said it understands U.S. Soccer acted "in light of the existing US Level 3 travel advisory." On the withdrawal itself, FIFA said it had been informed of the decision and "the regulations governing the tournament will be applied."

Those regulations call for a disciplinary process and a fine starting at 20,000 Swiss francs for associations that withdraw within 30 days of the opening match. FIFA's disciplinary bodies set the final sanction. None has been announced.

FIFA pointed to events Qatar has hosted without a publicly reported major incident: MotoGP, the Padel World Cup, the FIVB men's U17 World Championship, the Doha Athletics Meeting and an International Telecommunication Union conference. MotoGP's Qatar Grand Prix and the padel final were both held Nov. 8.

The other side of the argument

U.S. Soccer has not changed its stated reasoning. In its letter to players, it said it was cancelling the pre-tournament camp and its participation "in light of current circumstances," and that "the well-being of our players and staff will always be our top priority."

The federation told ESPN the State Department issued the Level 3 advisory on Oct. 23. Level 3 urges Americans to reconsider travel because of the risk of armed conflict. The department's update cited Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, including strikes on civilian airports and critical infrastructure.

So both sides are working from the same advisory and reaching opposite conclusions. FIFA says the advisory is not a new development. U.S. Soccer says it is reason enough to keep 16- and 17-year-olds home.

The broader backdrop is still unsettled. President Trump said Thursday that the war with Iran was not over, calling it "just a question of when we want to end it." Agency reporting has described heightened security in the Gulf since U.S. military action against Iran earlier this year, including extra screening and visible security personnel around strategic sites in Doha. Life and major events in the city have continued.

The vacant slot

The Americans were drawn into Group J with Montenegro, Chile and Algeria. They were due to open against Montenegro on Nov. 21. FIFA has not said whether it will replace them, or how.

Jassim Al Jassim, CEO of Qatar's Local Organising Committee, deferred to FIFA. "This is a FIFA decision, a FIFA competition," he said. "I think they will announce something within the next few days."

He said preparations were "business as usual," with several teams already in Doha for training camps and friendlies. China's under-17 side has arrived for its first appearance in the tournament in 21 years.

This is the second of five consecutive under-17 World Cups Qatar will host through 2029. The tournament expanded from 24 to 48 teams last year. Infantino said it drew an average of 10,000 spectators a day then, and that the format worked better than FIFA expected. "Qatar is ready, FIFA is ready," he said. "Come to Qatar, come to Doha, enjoy the best young players in the world."

What comes next

Two decisions are pending. FIFA has to name a replacement for Group J, or restructure the group, before the Nov. 21 opener against Montenegro. Its disciplinary bodies also have to set the penalty for U.S. Soccer, which faces a fine of at least 20,000 Swiss francs under the rules.