Matt Crocker Leaves U.S. Soccer for Saudi Arabia Ahead of 2026 World Cup

U.S. Soccer has faced an unexpected leadership shakeup with the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup less than two months away. On April 14, 2026, the federation announced that sporting director Matt Crocker has left his position with immediate effect.

The departure comes at a critical juncture for one of the tournament’s co-hosts. Reports from FOX Sports and ESPN confirm that Crocker is leaving to take a similar role with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. With the World Cup set to begin on June 11, 2026, the timing of the move has been described by one federation source as weird timing, though another indicated the opportunity in Saudi Arabia was one Crocker can’t pass up.

The Role of the Sporting Director and the Impact of Timing

To understand the significance of this vacancy, It’s necessary to define the remit of the sporting director. In a broad sense, the role involves the hiring and firing of head coaches. However, Crocker’s responsibilities were more extensive, overseeing all 27 of U.S. Soccer’s national teams and setting the overall on-field direction for the federation.

Crocker also played a significant part in the design of a new training facility in Fayetteville, Georgia. The 200-acre, 17-field complex, valued at over $200 million, is scheduled to open in May 2026.

The timing of the exit is particularly sensitive because the U.S. Men’s national team is preparing for its first World Cup opener on home soil in 32 years. Crocker is joining a federation that the United States could potentially face in the knockout rounds of the tournament. From an organizational standpoint, the optics of a key figurehead leaving for a potential opponent just weeks before the event are challenging for both the federation and Crocker.

Evaluating Crocker’s Tenure

Crocker joined U.S. Soccer in 2023 after the previous sporting director, Earnie Stewart, departed for PSV Eindhoven. His tenure has been marked by both high-profile successes and criticized decisions.

One of the most scrutinized moves of his tenure was the 2023 decision to re-hire Gregg Berhalter as the men’s head coach. This choice was viewed as a mistake by some, particularly following the disastrous 2024 Copa América. Critics noted that Crocker had an existing relationship with Jesse Marsch, who was then turning down Premier League opportunities.

Conversely, Crocker is credited with landing two of the world’s top coaches: Mauricio Pochettino for the men’s side and Emma Hayes for the women’s side. These appointments are viewed as major coups for the USSF, likely facilitated by the professional relationships Crocker developed while working in England. The impact of these hires was felt quickly, as Emma Hayes led the U.S. Women to their fifth Olympic gold medal within 10 games.

Beyond coaching, Crocker worked to implement the U.S. Way strategy, which aimed to align all levels of the sport within the country. While the full implementation of this vision remains to be seen, federation sources indicate that the plans are in place and the USSF is now focused on execution.

Impact on World Cup Preparations

Despite the sudden nature of the departure, U.S. Soccer has insisted that preparations for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will not be affected. The federation stated that head coaches Mauricio Pochettino and Emma Hayes maintain full authority over team performance and tournament preparation.

My staff and I remain fully focused on preparing our team for the World Cup.

Mauricio Pochettino

Because the sporting director does not interact with players in the same capacity as the coaching staff, the daily operations of the national team remain stable. With the coach already in place and pre-tournament planning completed, the responsibility for the team’s performance this summer rests solely with Pochettino and his players.

Interim Leadership and Future Candidates

In the absence of a permanent sporting director, U.S. Soccer has split Crocker’s duties among the broader sporting leadership team. The primary responsibilities have been assumed by:

• Dan Helfrich, Chief Operating Officer
• Oguchi Onyewu, Assistant Sporting Director
• Tracey Kevins, Head of Women’s Development

Among these, Oguchi Onyewu has emerged as a viable long-term candidate for the role. A former U.S. Men’s team star and two-time World Cup veteran, Onyewu was a candidate for the sporting director position in 2023. To accommodate his talent, the federation created the assistant sporting director role specifically for him.

Onyewu brings a wealth of international experience, having played in the top leagues of Italy, Spain, England, France, Portugal, Belgium, the Netherlands, and MLS. He is fluent in four languages and has previous executive experience with Orlando City B of MLS Next Pro and Belgium’s Royal Excelsior Virton. Having served as Crocker’s right hand for three years, Onyewu is well-positioned within the federation’s hierarchy.

As Saudi Arabia prepares to host the 2034 World Cup, their aggressive pursuit of international talent continues, this time drawing a key American executive away just as the U.S. Prepares for its own historic tournament.