Two USMNT staff members were suspended by FIFA for the round of 16 match against Belgium. FIFA has not given an official reason.
Who Was Suspended
The suspended staff members were team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Federation vice president of security Frank Pannell. Both were barred from Monday’s match against Belgium in Seattle, according to ESPN.
Why FIFA Suspended Them
FIFA did not publicly explain its decision. A source told ESPN that the issue was linked to the round of 32 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina, and involved mishandling of FIFA match protocols along with people entering areas they were not authorized to access. No physical altercation was involved, based on reporting from ESPN.
What US Soccer Said
The U.S. Soccer Federation also declined to give a specific reason. The federation only confirmed that the suspensions were not connected to the separate effort to overturn forward Folarin Balogun’s one-game red card suspension, according to NBC Chicago.
Background On The Staff Members
Sam Zapatka has served as the team’s administrative manager since 2020 and has worked for the U.S. Soccer Federation since 2015, according to ESPN.
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How The News Came To Light
The suspensions were not widely reported until the day after the match. The United States was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup on July 6 following a 4-1 loss to Belgium, and news of the staff suspensions emerged the next day, according to MSN.
Separate From The Balogun Situation
The suspension news arrived shortly after attention had been focused on Folarin Balogun’s red card from the round of 32 game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was successfully appealed and lifted. Both federations confirmed the staff suspensions were unrelated to that case, according to Front Office Sports.
Quick Summary
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Staff suspended | Sam Zapatka, Frank Pannell |
| Roles | Team manager, VP of security |
| Match affected | Round of 16 vs Belgium |
| Reason given by FIFA | None officially confirmed |
| Reported cause | Protocol issue from Bosnia and Herzegovina match |
| Related to Balogun case | No |
| Match result | US lost 4-1, eliminated from World Cup |
FAQ
Q: Why were two USMNT staff members suspended by FIFA for the Belgium game?
A: According to sources close to the team, the suspensions were tied to a violation of FIFA match protocols — specifically, staff being present in restricted areas they weren’t authorized to access. FIFA itself did not officially state a reason.
Q: Who were the two USMNT staff members suspended by FIFA?
A: The suspended individuals were team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Federation vice president of security Frank Pannell.
Q: When did the suspensions happen?
A: FIFA reportedly issued the suspensions pregame, ahead of the USMNT’s Round of 16 match against Belgium on Monday, July 6, 2026.
Q: Was the suspension related to Folarin Balogun’s red card situation?
A: No. U.S. Soccer explicitly stated the suspensions were not connected to the effort that got forward Folarin Balogun’s one-game red-card suspension lifted following the Bosnia and Herzegovina match.
Q: Did FIFA give an official reason for the suspensions?
A: No. FIFA did not publicly explain the discipline, and the U.S. Soccer Federation also declined to confirm the exact cause, directing inquiries to FIFA.
Q: Did the incident involve any physical altercation?
A: No. Reports indicate no physical altercation took place — the issue was strictly related to protocol and unauthorized area access.
Q: How did the suspensions affect the USMNT’s performance against Belgium?
A: There’s no indication the suspensions impacted the game itself. The USMNT was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup with a 4-1 loss to Belgium.
Q: Were Zapatka and Pannell the only USMNT staff suspended during the tournament?
A: Yes, according to reports, they appear to be the only team officials suspended by FIFA during the 2026 World Cup.
