USA Soccer cancels plans for men’s team to train in Doha

United States’ head coach Gregg Berhalter (L) gives instructions to United States’ foward Josh Sargent during the International Friendly football match between the United States and Uruguay at Busch Stadium, in St. Louis, Missouri on September 10, 2019. (Photo by Tim Vizer / AFP)

The US Soccer Federation said Friday it had canceled plans for the men’s national team to train in Doha, Qatar, this month “due to the developing situation in the region.”

The decision was announced after the United States assassinated top Iranian general Qasem Soleimani, who was killed in an air attack in Iraq’s capital Baghdad.

The federation said it was seeking a new site for the training camp, scheduled for January 5-25, in the United States.

The Americans are scheduled to play a friendly match against Costa Rica on February 1 in Carson, California, near Los Angeles.

“We are working with the Qatar Football Association to find an opportunity in the near future for our team to experience Qatar’s world-class facilities and hospitality,” USA Soccer said in its statement.

US Soccer had hoped the camp in Qatar would give players a chance to check out the country that will host the 2022 World Cup.

US coach Gregg Berhalter had already called 25 players to participate in the training camp, most of them Major League Soccer players.