U.S. Soccer Federation (United States Soccer Federation) announced Friday that the trip to the men’s team training camp scheduled to take place in Qatar was suspended due to the situation in the Middle East.
The announcement effectively cancels the trip to Qatar, which will house the 2022 World Cup. The Federation is currently “working in alternative locations” to keep the camp in a different location with the probable destination in southern California or Florida.
However, U.S. Soccer is hoping that a trip to Qatar can be organized in the future.
“We are working with the Qatar Football Association to find an opportunity in the near future and for our team to learn about Qatar’s premier facilities and hospitality, “U.S. Soccer said in a statement.
The camp was to be held in the Aspire Academy in Doha from January 5 to 25, which means that the players had to leave this weekend. During that time, the national team was scheduled to have training sessions, as well as participate in closed-door matches with other clubs and national teams conducting camps in that country, including a match against the Austrian team Red Bull Salzburg January 18
After his return to the United States, the team would train in Carson, California, just south of Los Angeles, and would play against Costa Rica in a friendly in the Dignity Health Sports Park February 1.
But the murder of the Major General Qasem Soleimani, the main military commander of Iran, for an American air strike in Baghdad On Thursday, he raised concerns about the situation in the region. Although Qatar is considered safe, there is uncertainty about how the political and security situation will develop in the region in the coming days.
The supreme leader of Iran, ayatollah Ali KhameneiHe said Iran will seek revenge for the death of Soleimani. The United States Department of State He indicated that they leave Iraq immediately.
These events led to U.S. Soccer to reconsider if it made sense to make the trip. On Friday, with great caution, the decision was made to postpone it and relocate the camp.
– .
