As the Chief Communications Officer for U.S. Soccer, Neil Buethe serves as the primary spokesman for the Federation and oversees the communications and media strategy for the entire organization, including the two senior Men’s and Women’s National Teams, 16 Youth National Teams and nine Extended National Teams. In the past 20 years, Buethe has been involved in several of the highest-profile soccer events and national team competitions in the United States and across the globe, and has extensive experience building key relationships with national and international media. Buethe also has wide-ranging crisis communications experience.

Buethe has been involved in more than 10 senior FIFA Men’s and Women’s World Cups, five FIFA Youth Men’s World Cups, multiple Olympic Games, FIFA Confederations Cups, Concacaf Gold Cups, men’s and women’s FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns and the 2016 Copa America Centenario. Since 2010, Buethe has led U.S. Soccer’s communications strategy for every men’s and women’s senior FIFA World Cup. He was also instrumental in U.S. Soccer’s bids for two different FIFA Men’s World Cups, including the successful 2026 FIFA World Cup which will take place in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.

Buethe headed the communications, public relations, content, and social efforts for 2016 Copa America Centenario tournament played in the United States, putting together strategic plans in each area, and hiring 50+ individuals to execute plans in just eight months, reaching record-breaking numbers in coverage, social engagement and broadcast coverage.

In the lead-up to the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup, Buethe created the SheBelieves platform for the U.S. Women’s National Team, developing the overall concept and executing the strategic plan, eventually building a movement that empowered and inspired millions of young girls and continues today through the SheBelieves Cup, a yearly four-team international tournament played in the United States.

Joining U.S. Soccer in 2003, Buethe started as U.S. Soccer’s Youth Press Officer serving as the main contact for all Youth and Extended National Teams. As the press officer for the Under-17 and Under-20 Men’s National Teams from 2003-2006, he oversaw two youth qualifying tournaments and four major youth world championships, including the 2003 and 2005 FIFA U-17 and U-20 World Cups.

In 2006, Buethe transitioned into a newly created Content Manager position, creating U.S. Soccer’s content and social strategy from the ground up. Buethe developed U.S. Soccer’s initial strategic content plan and oversaw the production of all original written, audio and video content across all social and digital platforms. In his role, he created the Federation’s penchant for providing fans with inventive and original in-depth and behind-the-scenes content, including developing, producing, writing, and hosting U.S. Soccer’s first-of-its-kind daily web show called “Studio 90,” which became the main video platform for news and player interviews.

Buethe began his career as a news reporter for the Baraboo News Republic in Baraboo, Wisconsin. Born May 15, 1977, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, Buethe is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.