FIFA president says Qatar safe for U-17 World Cup despite US withdrawal

FIFA President Gianni Infantino says Qatar is safe to host the upcoming Under-17 World Cup, despite the United States withdrawing its team over security concerns.Speaking to reporters in Doha on Thursday, Infantino said the decision was up to US Soccer but insisted other teams had nothing to fear."Every country, every national team knows best by themselves what they want to do, they decide," he said."What I can say is that everyone is welcome in Doha, everyone is safe in Doha," the FIFA president added.The tournament begins on 19 November, with teams already arriving in the Qatari capital.US withdrawal leaves vacant spotUS Soccer informed players on Wednesday that it was withdrawing from the competition, citing security concerns in the Gulf region.FIFA confirmed the withdrawal on Thursday but said its security assessment remained unchanged and that "no new developments affecting the security situation of the tournament have occured"."FIFA understands that US Soccer’s decision was made in light of the existing US Level 3 travel advisory," the world football body said in a statement, adding that "as with all FIFA tournaments and events, we are in close contact with the relevant authorities and are looking forward to the tournament kick-off in Qatar."The United States had been due to face Montenegro, Chile and Algeria in Group J.A replacement has yet to be announced, although…