USA’s Sporting Director, Matt Crocker, Joins Saudi Arabia 57 Days Before Kick Off

Matt Crocker Set to Leave U.S. Soccer for Saudi Arabia Ahead of 2026 World Cup

A major change is coming to U.S. Soccer just weeks before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

According to reports, sporting director Matt Crocker is leaving his role with immediate effect to take a similar position with Saudi Arabia, ending a significant chapter in the federation’s buildup to a home World Cup.

Sudden Exit Before a Massive Summer

The timing is notable.

The United States is preparing to co-host the World Cup this summer alongside Canada and Mexico, with the U.S. set to open the tournament against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles. Crocker’s departure comes during one of the most important stretches in recent federation history.

Still, U.S. Soccer leadership is projecting calm.

According to COO Dan Helfrich, there is expected to be “zero impact” on World Cup preparation, with Mauricio Pochettino and his staff already fully in control of the team’s plans for the tournament.

Who Will Take Over for Now?

With Crocker departing immediately, U.S. Soccer is not handing everything to one replacement right away.

Instead, assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, head of women’s development Tracey Kevins, and COO Dan Helfrich are expected to absorb Crocker’s responsibilities in the short term while the federation begins a broader search for a permanent successor.

That search is expected to include both domestic and international candidates.

Crocker’s Biggest Moves

Crocker arrived from Southampton in 2023 and quickly took on two of the biggest hires in American soccer.

He brought in Emma Hayes to lead the U.S. women’s national team and later landed Mauricio Pochettino as head coach of the U.S. men’s national team. Hayes quickly delivered Olympic gold in Paris, while Pochettino was viewed as one of the most high-profile coaching hires in U.S. Soccer history.

Crocker also played a major role in the planning and design of the new Arthur M. Blank U.S. Soccer National Training Center near Atlanta, which is set to open next month and will serve as the U.S. base ahead of its final World Cup tuneups against Senegal and Germany.

Why Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia’s interest makes sense.

The country will host the 2034 World Cup, and Crocker’s experience helping guide a federation through the final years before a World Cup appears to have made him an attractive target. His background in development, long-term planning, and high-level federation leadership fits what Saudi Arabia is likely trying to build next.

Final Take

This is a big departure at a sensitive moment, but U.S. Soccer is clearly trying to project stability.

Crocker leaves behind major hires, major infrastructure progress, and a federation that believes it is in a stronger place than when he arrived. Now the focus shifts to whether the transition truly remains seamless with the World Cup around the corner.

And for Crocker, the move signals something else too: the global race to build for future World Cups is already well underway.