Government travel advice has led to Football Australia withdrawing the Young Socceroos from next month's Under-20 Asian Cup qualifiers in Iraq.
The qualifiers are scheduled to be held in Basra from September 10 to 18 for spots at next year's tournament in Uzbekistan, which will determine the four remaining nations to represent Asia at the 2023 U20 World Cup in Indonesia.
Australia were scheduled to play Kuwait, India and the host nation in their qualifying matches.
The decision to withdraw from the Asian Cup qualifiers mean the Young Socceroos will not only miss the continental tournament but also the World Cup.
The Young Socceroos have been to the U20 World Cup on 15 occasions, finishing fourth at the 1991 and 1993 tournaments with players such as Kevin Muscat, Paul Agostino, Mark Bosnich, Tony Popovic and Paul Okon.
Football Australia said in a statement it is exploring the opportunity of sending the Young Socceroos to compete in a four-nations tournament in Spain next month to allow the country's best youngsters to be exposed to "high-level international competition".
