FIFA says its ‘safety assessments’ for the 48-team match stay unchanged after US Soccer pulled out.
Revealed On 12 Nov 2026
FIFA says the Below-17 World Cup in Qatar will kick off as scheduled on November 19, regardless of the USA’ determination to withdraw its workforce from the match.
US Soccer withdrew its nationwide workforce citing security considerations, however the sport’s world governing physique, which is internet hosting the match in Qatar, confirmed on Thursday that its plans stay unchanged.
“The protection and safety of all contributors and followers stay paramount. As with all FIFA tournaments and occasions, we’re in shut contact with the related authorities and are wanting ahead to the match kickoff in Qatar,” FIFA informed Al Jazeera in an announcement hours after the USA’s announcement.
“In current months, Qatar has efficiently hosted a number of worldwide occasions,” it added.
Qatar hosted two main worldwide tournaments prior to now two weeks.
MotoGP’s Qatar Grand Prix was efficiently held on 8 and the FIP Padel World Cup 2026 concluded on the identical day.
With per week till the Below-17 World Cup kicks off, FIFA confirmed that its safety assessments “stay unchanged” and that no new developments affecting the safety scenario across the match have occurred.
“FIFA understands that US Soccer’s determination was made in gentle of the present US Degree 3 journey advisory,” it stated.
In a letter despatched to gamers, the US Soccer Federation stated it was cancelling the workforce’s pre-tournament camp and its participation within the occasion “in gentle of present circumstances”, in response to the Reuters information company.
The US State Division up to date its advisory for Qatar final month, urging People to rethink journey due to the danger of armed battle.
The replace referred to Houthi assaults on Saudi Arabia, together with strikes on civilian airports and important infrastructure.
“The well-being of our gamers and employees will at all times be our high precedence,” the US federation’s letter stated.
The 48-team Below-17 match runs from November 19 to December 13. USA had been due to open in opposition to Montenegro on November 21 earlier than dealing with Chile and Algeria in Group J.
