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Matt Crocker has made a surprising exit as the sporting director of the United States Soccer Federation, with reports indicating that he is set to assume a similar role with Saudi Arabia’s football federation. This news, first reported by Fox Sports and other outlets, has sent shockwaves through the U.S. soccer community, particularly given the imminent Men’s World Cup hosted by the U.S.
The announcement of Crocker’s departure, just two months ahead of the tournament set to take place on home soil, has left many in the soccer world stunned. U.S. Soccer has confirmed that Dan Helfrich, the newly appointed chief operating officer, will provide executive oversight and support for the organization’s sporting operations during this transitional period. Helfrich will collaborate with assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu and Tracey Kevins, who heads the development of the women’s youth national team, in the interim.
Crocker’s departure notably impacts the men’s national team, which is preparing to take part in a World Cup. However, his responsibilities spanned the entire federation, including both men’s and women’s programs. Notably, Crocker was instrumental in the unexpected hiring of Emma Hayes as the head coach of the U.S. women’s national team in late 2023. Under Hayes’ stewardship, the team clinched an Olympic gold medal merely ten matches into her tenure.
In a statement, Crocker expressed his appreciation for his time with U.S. Soccer, acknowledging the significance of his role during a pivotal phase for the sport in the country. Meanwhile, U.S. Soccer CEO and Secretary General JT Batson praised Crocker for his contributions, emphasizing his role in guiding essential changes throughout the organization.
As the federation looks ahead, Helfrich, Batson, and U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone will collectively determine the next steps. The contract of the U.S. men’s national team head coach is set to conclude this summer, following the World Cup, presenting an immediate challenge for the federation.
The U.S. women’s team, under the leadership of Hayes, is also poised for action as they prepare for their World Cup campaign, which kicks off just over a year from now. Additionally, the U.S. will share hosting duties with Mexico and Canada for the highly anticipated 2026 Men’s World Cup, increasing the stakes for the national teams involved. Notably, Saudi Arabia, where Crocker will be heading, has qualified for the tournament and could potentially face the U.S. men’s squad in the knockout stages.
Looking further ahead, the U.S. is in line to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, and its bid—in collaboration with Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica—currently faces no opposition. However, recent news indicates that FIFA’s anticipated approval of the bid has been postponed from the upcoming FIFA Congress in Vancouver to a later date in 2026, raising some concerns within U.S. Soccer. This delay follows reports that the White House and President Donald Trump have yet to sign the necessary government guarantees, compounded by dissatisfaction from host cities regarding the financial structure of the tournament, as seen in Foxborough, Massachusetts.
Last week, The Athletic revealed that Trump is advocating for FIFA to implement a transgender policy, hinting that this could be affecting the timeline for the 2031 Women’s World Cup bid approval. The International Olympic Committee has recently introduced a policy that prohibits transgender athletes from competing in women’s events, which may further complicate discussions surrounding these high-stakes decisions.
