2 US soccer staff members suspended for Belgium game
Mauricio Pochettino, Head Coach of the United States, reacts with his players during a hydration break in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Carl Rec
While Folarin Balogun’s red-card suspension may have been lifted prior to the U.S. men’s soccer team’s eventual loss to Belgium on Monday night, two of the club’s staff members were not as fortunate.
What we know:
FIFA had suspended team manager Sam Zapatka and Frank Pannell, who serves as the U.S. Soccer Federation’s (USSF) vice president of security, for the Round of 16 match, according to the league’s disciplinary preview.
What we don't know:
The preview did not list a reason for the suspensions. The Associated Press reported that the USSF indicated that the suspensions had nothing to do with the controversy surrounding Balogun’s red card, but did not detail why they were handed down.
Dig deeper:
Zapatka has worked with the USSF for more than a decade and became the team’s administrative manager in 2025, the AP noted.
The backstory:
Monday night’s game proved to be the last in this World Cup for the U.S. men’s national team, who were eliminated in the 4-1 loss to Belgium.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from FIFA and The Associated Press. This story was reported from Orlando.