By The US Soccer federation has pulled its youth national team out of the upcoming men's under-17 World Cup in Qatar over security concerns, broadcaster ESPN said on Wednesday evening.
ESPN said it obtained a letter sent to the players and that it also received confirmation from US Soccer that the team won't participate in the tournament which starts on November 19.
"We are writing to inform you of the difficult decision to cancel our World Cup pre-camp and our planned participation in the World Cup," the letter said, according to ESPN. "We are extremely proud of the preparation by our players and coaches to represent the US in the World Cup."
"Unfortunately, in light of current circumstances including the US State Department's Level 3 Travel Advisory for Qatar and related directives for Embassy staff and families, we are no longer able to participate in the tournament. The well-being of our players and staff will always be our top priority."
The US State Department issued a Level 3 travel advisory for the Middle East country on October 23, warning US citizens to "reconsider travel to Qatar due to risk of armed conflict."
The advisory cited attacks in neighbouring Saudi Arabia by Yemen's Houthi rebels.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/us-withdraw-u17-world-cup-091840736.html
