Matt Crocker is leaving his position as U.S. Soccer’s sporting director to take a similar role with Saudi Arabia, Fox Sports reported.
The move, which is effective immediately, comes approximately two months ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Per Fox Sports, assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, head of women’s development Tracey Kevins and Dan Helfrich, the organization’s COO, will take on Crocker’s responsibilities in the interim.
Crocker has spent nearly the last three years in his position with the U.S. Soccer Federation, notably helping recruit women’s national team coach Emma Hayes and men’s coach Mauricio Pochettino.
The U.S. men kick off World Cup group play against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles. The Americans will also play Australia on June 19 in Seattle and Turkey on June 25 back in Los Angeles.
“I anticipate zero impact on World Cup preparation as a result of Matt’s decision,” Helfrich told Fox Sports on Monday. “Mauricio and his staff have full control of the preparations for this summer’s tournament, and we have full confidence in them. This transition in no way impacts those plans, which have been long-established.”
Nasser Larguet is expected to leave his position as Saudi Arabia’s technical director this month, multiple media outlets reported.
“If you’re going to compete at the highest levels in the sporting world, you expect that team members will have other opportunities,” Helfrich told Fox Sports. “Soccer in our country and the federation overall are in a better place than several years ago when Matt joined, and we’re grateful to him for those contributions.”
–Field Level Media
