With the 2026 FIFA World Cup less than two months away and preparations reaching fever pitch, Matt Crocker has abruptly stepped down as sporting director of the U.S. Soccer Federation. The federation announced on April 14, 2026, that Crocker is leaving to pursue another international opportunity, while multiple outlets report he is headed for a role with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation. His exit lands at a sensitive moment, as U.S. Soccer readies the Arthur M. Blank National Training Center outside Atlanta and scrambles through final World Cup details.
U.S. Soccer Confirms Exit, Sets Up Stopgap Oversight
U.S. Soccer formally confirmed Crocker’s departure in a federation statement, naming Chief Operating Officer Dan Helfrich as the executive providing oversight while assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu and national teams staffer Tracey Kevins handle continuity, according to U.S. Soccer.
"It has been a privilege to be part of U.S. Soccer during such an important period for the sport in this country," Crocker said in the release. The federation stressed that head coaches Mauricio Pochettino and Emma Hayes retain full authority over team performance and tournament preparation, signaling that day-to-day World Cup work will continue on its existing track.
Reports Tie Crocker to Saudi Role
A person familiar with the decision told The Associated Press that Crocker is expected to join the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, while Fox Sports first reported the hiring. As of Tuesday, neither Crocker nor Saudi officials had publicly announced the move, and U.S. Soccer said the outgoing executive will assist in a smooth handoff while preparations continue.
Short Tenure, Outsized Decisions
Crocker, 51, was hired in April 2023 after serving as Southampton’s director of football and quickly became central to some of the federation’s biggest recent calls. He oversaw the rehiring and eventual dismissal of Gregg Berhalter, led the recruitment of Mauricio Pochettino for the men’s team, and recommended Emma Hayes for the U.S. women’s job before she guided the squad to Olympic gold in 2024. Those moves, along with his work on the U.S. Way development plan and the new national training center, defined his three years in Chicago, as reported by The Mercury News.
World Cup Prep Rolls On, Interim Trio Steps Up
The federation has been quick to insist that its World Cup blueprint is essentially locked in, describing Crocker’s exit as a late plot twist rather than a full rewrite. U.S. Soccer said its long-established plans will not change and emphasized that coaches and technical staff retain control over daily tournament preparation.
Until a new sporting director is named, Helfrich, Onyewu and Kevins will collectively manage sporting operations. Media coverage has also pointed out that Pochettino’s contract runs through the World Cup, making the post-tournament window the most likely time for any major leadership decisions, according to ESPN.
Saudi Shake-Up Sets the Stage
Crocker’s reported landing spot comes amid a broader reshuffle in Saudi football. Outlets have noted that technical director Nasser Larguet may step down as the federation retools ahead of the kingdom’s own future tournaments, while Saudi Arabia continues an aggressive push to lure seasoned executives from established federations. That broader hiring spree helps explain why the Saudis are so active on the global market, per reporting from The Guardian.
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