Safety concerns surrounding the 2026 Qatar Grand Prix have intensified after the United States Soccer Federation withdrew its Under-17 national team from the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, just eight days before the tournament was due to begin. The decision has raised fresh questions for Formula 1, which is preparing to conclude its season with two consecutive races in the Middle East despite continuing concerns over regional security.
Formula 1 officials have repeatedly offered public reassurances that the championship will conclude as planned in Abu Dhabi. However, other international sporting organisations are taking a different approach, with some announcing withdrawals and others introducing extensive security measures. The American football federation’s decision has therefore become a significant development as the Qatar Grand Prix, scheduled for 27–29 November, and the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, scheduled for 4–6 December, approach.
US team withdraws from Qatar World Cup over security concerns
On 11 November, the United States Soccer Federation informed its players that both their preparations for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup and their participation in the tournament had been cancelled. The governing body cited the geopolitical situation in the region as the reason for its decision.
In the original letter obtained by Spanish newspaper AS, the federation explained:
“Unfortunately, in light of the current circumstances, including the Level 3 travel advisory issued by the US State Department for Qatar and the related directives for embassy personnel and their families, we are no longer able to participate in the tournament.”
The federation also emphasised the importance of protecting those involved in the competition.
“The well-being of our players and staff will always be our highest priority.”
The US State Department has advised American citizens to reconsider travelling to Qatar because of the risk of armed conflict. The advisory, updated on 23 October, also refers to attacks on civilian infrastructure and airports in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.
The withdrawal demonstrates how security concerns can influence decisions involving major international sporting events, even when preparations for those competitions are already well advanced.
Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix remain on the 2026 F1 calendar
For Formula 1, the situation is particularly delicate. Following the cancellation of the Jeddah race and the relocation of the Bahrain Grand Prix to Malaysia, the championship is preparing to return to the Middle East for its final two rounds of the season.
The Qatar Grand Prix is scheduled to take place from 27 to 29 November, followed by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from 4 to 6 December. Despite the uncertainty, Formula 1’s governing bodies have continued to express confidence that the championship can conclude according to the established calendar.
As previously confirmed, the FIA remains committed to holding the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix, with Imola no longer considered an alternative venue for the season finale. Nevertheless, the possibility of individual teams or members of their personnel raising objections on safety grounds cannot be ignored, particularly following the decision taken by the American football federation.
The circumstances raise an important question about how Formula 1 would respond if a team or its personnel considered the security risks associated with travelling to either Grand Prix unacceptable.
Can Ferrari and other F1 teams refuse to race in Qatar?
There is, however, a fundamental difference between the situation involving the United States football team and that facing Formula 1 competitors.
Unlike national football federations, Formula 1 teams cannot simply decide to withdraw from a Grand Prix without considering their regulatory and contractual obligations. Article A3.1.3 of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 regulations requires every team to undertake to participate in every championship event with both cars, subject to recognised exceptions, including force majeure.
These requirements apply to all competitors, including Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull and the other teams participating in the championship. A team deciding independently not to attend a Grand Prix could therefore expose itself to substantial financial sanctions and contractual consequences, including those potentially arising from its commitments under the Concorde Agreement.
The precise amounts of any contractual penalties are not publicly available.
FIA force majeure rules raise questions over F1 team safety
The FIA regulations recognise force majeure as a potential exception to the general requirement for teams to participate in championship events.
War and the threat of war are among the circumstances that may constitute force majeure. However, the interpretation of those provisions becomes more complicated if the relevant governing body considers the event safe to organise.
This creates a potentially difficult situation for Formula 1 teams, which must balance their obligation to participate in the championship against concerns about the safety of their personnel. The issue is particularly important because each Grand Prix involves hundreds of people working for the teams, including drivers, engineers, mechanics and other essential staff.
The withdrawal of the American Under-17 football team does not automatically mean that the Qatar Grand Prix or Abu Dhabi Grand Prix will be cancelled. Nevertheless, it highlights the different assessments that sporting organisations may make when confronted with the same regional security concerns.
As Formula 1 approaches its final two races of the 2026 season, two fundamental questions remain unanswered: what safety guarantees can be offered to the hundreds of people working for the teams, and how far can a contractual obligation to compete take precedence over concerns about personnel safety?
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