Matt Crocker has resigned from his role as U.S. Soccer’s sporting director to accept a similar position in Saudi Arabia, as reported on Monday multiple sources.

Assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu, Tracey Kevins, who oversees women’s development, and Dan Helfrich, the COO, will take over Crocker’s responsibilities ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico this summer.

Crocker, who came from Southampton in the English Premier League in 2023, played a crucial role in appointing Emma Hayes as the women’s team coach and Mauricio Pochettino as the men’s head coach. Under her guidance, the U.S. women’s team secured their fifth gold medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

“I foresee no effect on World Cup planning due to Matt’s departure,” Helfrich stated in a recent interview. “Pochettino and his staff have full authority over preparations for the summer tournament, which are firmly established.”

Helfrich also indicated that they are actively conducting a detailed search for Crocker’s successor, and they are considering both domestic and international candidates.