Bakersfield, CA, November 12, 2026 — The United States Soccer Federation has announced the withdrawal of its boys’ Under-17 national team from the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Qatar. The decision was reportedly made due to unspecified security concerns in the Gulf region.

The organization stated that the safety and security of its players and staff were paramount in making this difficult choice. Further details regarding the specific nature of the security concerns were not immediately available, nor was information about any potential impact on other US soccer programs or future international competitions.

The FIFA World Cup is a premier international tournament for youth national teams, and participation is considered a significant milestone for developing young athletes. The U.S. Soccer Federation’s withdrawal means the boys’ U-17 team will not compete in this year’s event, a development that marks a notable absence for the program.

The U.S. Soccer Federation has not provided a timeline for when a decision might be made regarding future participation in international events or whether this withdrawal is specific to the Qatar tournament. The specific contractor involved in security assessments, if any, was not disclosed. Information regarding any discussions between U.S. Soccer and FIFA concerning this withdrawal was also not provided.

This decision leaves a vacancy in the tournament roster that will need to be addressed by FIFA. The exact implications for the team’s developmental pathway and the athletes involved remain to be seen. The federation has not commented on alternative plans for the players or coaches during the period the World Cup was scheduled to take place.


Story summarized from the original created by Associated Press on www.kget.com, see more information here.

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