Why did the US pull its youth team out of a World Cup days before kickoff?

The Middle East war began in February, when the United States and Israel attacked Iran, and Iran struck US allies in the region. Sporting events across the Middle East have been cancelled or moved. The Guardian reported Houthi strikes on Riyadh's airport in October, and the tournament is set for Doha.

The federation's letter cited the State Department's level three advisory, which urges Americans to reconsider travel to Qatar because of the risk of armed conflict, along with directives for embassy staff and their families. It put player welfare first. "The well-being of our players and staff will always be our top priority."

Pulling out fewer than 30 days before kickoff carries a fine of 20,000 Swiss francs, about twenty-four thousand dollars. The federation would not detail how it reached the decision.