Governing Bodies
Nigerian-Descent Onyewu Emerges as Contender for Top U.S. Soccer Role After Crocker Exit
A potential new chapter may be unfolding for Nigerian-descended football administrator Oguchi Onyewu following the sudden resignation of U.S. Soccer sporting director Matt Crocker—a development that could elevate Onyewu into one of the most influential technical positions in American football.
Crocker stepped down from his role with immediate effect, barely two months before the kickoff of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States will co-host. The U.S. Soccer Federation confirmed that the outgoing sporting director is set to pursue “another opportunity in international soccer,” with reports linking him to a similar position in Saudi Arabia.
In the interim, U.S. Soccer has moved quickly to stabilise its leadership structure, with chief operating officer Dan Helfrich assuming executive oversight of sporting operations. Crucially, he will work closely with Onyewu, who currently serves as assistant sporting director, as well as head of women’s development Tracey Kevins.
The reshuffle has immediately sparked speculation that Onyewu—whose father is Nigerian—could be in line for a promotion to the vacant sporting director role, either on an interim or permanent basis. His growing administrative influence within U.S. Soccer, combined with his experience as a former international player, places him in a strong position at a critical time for the federation.
Beyond his administrative credentials, Onyewu’s background reflects a rich multicultural and personal profile. His parents relocated from Nigeria to the United States to pursue studies in Washington, D.C., where he was raised alongside his siblings—Uche, Nonye, Chi-Chi, and Ogechi. In addition to his American identity, he also holds Belgian citizenship and is multilingual, speaking English, French, Italian, and Portuguese.
A practising Catholic, Onyewu combines his professional pursuits with strong personal values and global engagement. Standing at 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m), he is the second-tallest outfield player in United States national team history, behind Omar Gonzalez. He has also broken new ground off the pitch as the first Vice President of Sport within the U.S. Soccer structure.
Onyewu’s influence extends beyond administration into social impact. He serves as a Global Ambassador for Grassroot Soccer, an initiative that uses football as a tool to educate and empower young people with life-saving health information and mentorship.
U.S. Soccer CEO and Secretary General JT Batson praised Crocker’s contribution, noting that the federation had “grown significantly across every part of our sporting organisation” during his tenure. Crocker was instrumental in key appointments, including hiring women’s national team coach Emma Hayes and men’s team coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Despite the timing of the departure, just weeks before the World Cup, U.S. Soccer officials insist preparations remain unaffected. Helfrich expressed confidence in the existing technical structure, emphasising that coaching staff retain full control over tournament planning.
“I anticipate zero impact on World Cup preparation as a result of Matt’s decision,” Helfrich stated, underlining continuity within the system.
As the countdown to the 2026 FIFA World Cup intensifies, attention will now turn to how quickly U.S. Soccer fills the vacant sporting director role—and whether Onyewu will be entrusted with leading the federation’s sporting vision at a historic moment.
For Nigeria, the development once again highlights the far-reaching impact of its football diaspora, with Onyewu potentially set to occupy one of the most strategic positions in global football administration.
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Matt Crocker is leaving his position as the U.S. Soccer Federation’s sporting director to pursue what the organisation labelled on Tuesday as “another opportunity in international soccer.”
Fox Sports reported that Crocker was taking a similar role with Saudi Arabia.
The move, which is effective immediately, comes approximately two months ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Per the U.S. Soccer Federation, chief operating officer Dan Helfrich will provide executive oversight and support across the sporting operations and work closely with assistant sporting director Oguchi Onyewu and head of women’s development Tracey Kevins.
“Over the past several years, U.S. Soccer has grown significantly across every part of our sporting organization, and we thank Matt for the role he played in that progress,” said JT Batson, U.S. Soccer CEO and secretary general.
“Matt helped guide important steps across our sporting organization, and we’re grateful for his contributions. We’re confident in our strategy, leadership team, coaches, and technical staff.
“We will continue building the right structure for the future, and we’re well positioned to make the decisions needed in the short, medium, and long term.”
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.
“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.
“I’m grateful for the people I’ve had the opportunity to work with across the Federation, from our coaches and players to our technical and administrative staff. I’m proud of what’s been built together and confident the team in place will continue to move the game forward and drive success on and off the field.”
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.”
-Reuters
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South American football’s governing body (CONMEBOL) gave Gianni Infantino its backing on Thursday, should he decide to run for reelection as FIFA president for a fourth term.
While Infantino has yet to confirm whether he will run for the 2027–2031 term, CONMEBOL’s council said in a statement that it “unanimously expressed its support” for the 56-year-old’s leadership ahead of a potential bid.
“President Gianni Infantino, thank you for your continued commitment to the development of South American football and for the leadership exercised at a global level,” CONMEBOL President Alejandro Dominguez said.
“We deeply value your closeness to our region and your vision to continue growing the game worldwide.”
CONMEBOL is the first federation to express support for Infantino’s re-election.
The Swiss took office in 2016, taking over from Sepp Blatter, and was re-elected unopposed in 2019 and again in 2023.
Infantino has pushed for the expansion of FIFA competitions during his tenure, with this year’s World Cup in North America the first to feature 48 teams, while the women’s tournament in 2023 expanded to 32 teams.
Infantino’s tenure has also drawn some criticism over issues such as governance and calendar congestion.
-Reuters
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FIFA has started disciplinary proceedings against the Spanish soccer federation (RFEF) over Islamophobic and xenophobic chants during a friendly between Spain and Egypt on March 31, the global soccer body said on Tuesday.
At the RCDE Stadium near Barcelona, the home ground of LaLiga club Espanyol, Spanish supporters chanted “who doesn’t jump is a Muslim” during the World Cup warm-up match, which ended in a goalless draw.
“FIFA has opened disciplinary proceedings today against the Spanish FA for the incidents in the friendly against Egypt,” FIFA said in a statement.
Spanish police launched an investigation into the chants last week.
Spain winger Lamine Yamal condemned the chants as disrespectful and intolerable in an Instagram post.
The Egyptian Football Association also condemned the chants as an entirely unacceptable “repugnant act of racism,” and added that the acts of a small group of spectators would not affect the close relations between the Spanish and Egyptian federations.
-Reuters
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