Two U.S. Soccer Federation staff members, team manager Sam Zapatka and vice president of security Frank Pannell, were suspended by FIFA for the team's World Cup match against Belgium. The suspensions were announced without public explanation in FIFA's disciplinary previews for the game.
Zapatka has served as team manager since 2020 and has been with the USSF since 2015. He was responsible for informing players of their selection for the 2026 World Cup team and was present on the sideline for the four preceding USMNT games. Pannell previously worked for the Secret Service and the CIA before transitioning into private security.
The U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) did not provide a reason for the two staff members' unavailability for the Round of 16 match. The organization did, however, confirm to the Associated Press that the suspensions were unrelated to Folarin Balogun's previously suspended red card.
The USMNT had recently been in the news when FIFA allowed Balogun to play against Belgium despite receiving a red card against Bosnia-Herzegovina, which typically carries a one-game suspension. FIFA cited Article 27 of its disciplinary code for the reversal, a decision that drew criticism. UEFA, the Union of European Football Associations, called the ruling an "unprecedented, incomprehensible and unjustifiable decision." Belgium stated it was "investigating all potential options" regarding the reversal before the game. Ultimately, Balogun recorded only one shot on goal in the team's 4-1 defeat to Belgium.