US Under-17 Withdrawal Threatens to Change Algeria’s World Cup Group

The U.S. Soccer Federation informed FIFA that its under-17 team was withdrawing from the 2026 World Cup in Qatar. FIFA has yet to name the team that will replace it in Group Ten, which includes Algeria, Chile and Montenegro, leaving the group’s schedule open to change before the tournament begins.

The source said the withdrawal was linked, according to circulating reports, to security concerns arising from tensions in the Middle East. FIFA said the matter would be handled under the tournament regulations, without announcing the replacement procedure or the identity of a potential replacement, and affirmed that its security assessments for holding the competition in Qatar had not changed.

Media reports have circulated the possibility that the place could be given to the Dominican Republic, but FIFA has not confirmed this. Algeria’s coaching staff, led by Amine Ghimouz, are expected to follow developments concerning the identity of the opponents and the final match schedule, given their importance to the team’s preparations.

The tournament is scheduled to run from 19 November to 13 December, while the Algerian team hopes to make the most of its participation as it competes to qualify for the next round.