LOS ANGELES. – USA He withdrew this Wednesday from the Men’s U-17 World Cup Taste due to security concerns in the Middle East, according to a communication sent to the players by the local federation just over a week before the start of the tournament.
“We are writing to inform you of the difficult decision to cancel our pre-World Cup camp and our planned participation in the World Cup,” said the letter from US Soccer, to which the AFP.
“We are extremely proud of the preparation of our players and coaches to represent the United States in the World Cup.”
“Unfortunately, in light of the current circumstances, including the US State Department’s Level 3 travel advisory for Qatar and related directives for embassy staff and their families, we can no longer participate in the tournament,” the institution warned.
The United States was one of the 48 participants in the U-17 World Cup, scheduled between November 19 and December 13, and had been seeded in a group along with Montenegro, Chile and Algeria.
The war in the Middle East began in February with joint attacks by the United States and Israel against Iranwhich responded with actions directed, among other objectives, against Gulf countries allied with Washington.
Diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have been disrupted by repeated threats from the United States and Israel to resume bombing of Iran.
Effects of conflict
The U-17 World Cup adopted an annual format last year and Qatar was named host for the next five consecutive editions.
When announcing the choice of venue, FIFA explained that it sought to take advantage of the existing football infrastructure to promote the efficiency and sustainability of the tournament.
Qatar also hosted the World Cup for senior national teams in 2022, won by Argentina.
Several sporting events in the region have been affected by the situation, including the WTA Finals, moved from Saudi Arabia to the Californian desert of Indian Wells, in the United States.
The Formula 1 Grand Prix scheduled in Jeddah was cancelled, while the Bahrain race was suspended and later rescheduled in Malaysia.
Several events in Saudi Arabia were also canceled or postponed following attacks against the kingdom by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
