India, Nov. 12 -- The United States Soccer team has withdrawn from the Under-17 FIFA World Cup in Qatar on Wednesday (November 11) stating security concerns in the Middle East, just over a week before the tournament opens on November 19.

The players were informed by the US Soccer, the governing body for the sport in the country, little more than a week before the opening match. Though their official confirmation remains undisclosed.

The decision reported that the federation would not participate in the tournament due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East as the welfare of the players and staff would be prioritized.

This withdrawal lands amid a conflict that began in February with joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, which retaliated ...