US Soccer postpones Qatar training camp after Iran general killed in Baghdad

[nitpicker]

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50991736

US Soccer postpones Qatar training camp after Iran general killed in Baghdad

2 hours ago

US Soccer has postponed its men's training camp in Qatar because of "developing tensions" in the region.
(snip)

The national team were set to train in Doha from 5-25 January, before playing Costa Rica in California in February.

US Soccer said in a statement that it was working on alternative arrangements for the training camp.
(snip)

((posting in GD because it relates to current events))

[RandySF]

1. WTF does Team USA need to train in Qatar for a game in California?

[muriel_volestrangler]

3. They probably saw it as an early chance to experience Qatar conditions for the World Cup

which starts there in Nov 2022 (thanks to massive bribery). I had been wondering how Trump's warmongering in the area would go down with the soccer business - I bet they're already muttering "stupid fucker ...".

Indeed - this is what they said before Trump started:

The United States Soccer Federation has long held its early-year trainings in Southern California. Choosing to change locations this year to Qatar was “with the confidence and anticipation of qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup,” according to a statement released by the federation.

”The USMNT will take a first opportunity to experience the football facilities, customs, weather and other logistical and performance considerations in the host nation,” the statement read.

The USMNT held similar on-location camps in South Africa and Brazil prior to the 2010 and 2014 World Cups respectively.
...
“Our priority is to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, so it’s certainly a big benefit to get a head start on experiencing the facilities, environment and culture of the tournament hosts,” Berhalter said.

https://www.prosoccerusa.com/us-soccer/usmnt-heads-to-qatar-for-january-camp-roster-to-include-some-surprising-selections/

[Sherman A1]

2. A wise choice

I believe.

[malaise]

4. That headline is wrong

The Iranian General was assassinated by the US government