Two U.S. Soccer officials were suspended before USMNT's Belgium match. Here's who

Prior to the United States' elimination from the 2026 World Cup on July 6 following a 4-1 loss to Belgium, two U.S. Soccer officials were suspended.

FIFA did not provide a reason for the suspensions.

According to USA TODAY, news of the suspensions was likely looked over by fans after news that star forward Folarin Balogun was to be reinstated following a red card in the team's round of 32 matchup against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Here's what to know.

Who on Team USA received a suspension?

The suspended staff members were team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Federation vice president of security Frank Pannell. 

Why were Zapatka, Pannell suspended?

According to ESPN, the suspensions were due to the "mishandling of FIFA match protocols and people being in designated areas where they weren't allowed" during the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

No physical altercation took place.

Who is Sam Zapatka?

Zapatka is the team manager for the U.S. Men's National Team, overseeing operations and logistics.

A 2013 Springfield College graduate, he has spent more than a decade with U.S. Soccer, rising from a part-time equipment manager role to one of the federation's most important behind-the-scenes positions.

As team manager, Zapatka is responsible for coordinating team hotels, travel, charter flights, training facilities and player and coaching staff needs.

Zapatka has been part of several major international tournaments, including the 2019 Women's World Cup in France and the men's World Cups in Qatar in 2022 and North America in 2026. He became USMNT team manager in 2020 after previously working with U.S. Soccer's youth national teams, Paralympic programs and stadium operations department.

He grew up in Thailand, where he attended the International School of Bangkok.

Who is Frank Pannell?

According to reports from The Economic Times and the New York Post, Pannell is the U.S. Soccer Federation's vice president of security.

Before joining U.S. Soccer, he spent much of his career in national security, serving with both the U.S. Secret Service and the CIA before transitioning to private-sector security leadership roles.

Did Folarin Balogun's reinstatement have anything to do with the staff suspensions?

Per ESPN, the United States Soccer Federation did not offer a reason as to why these suspensions were doled out.

They did, however, make it clear that "it was not related to the successful effort to have forward Folarin Balogun's one-game, red-card suspension lifted."

USMNT forward Balogun was reinstated for the United States' match against Belgium despite receiving a red card in the team's round of 32 game victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

President Donald Trump had previously called Gianni Infantino to urge the FIFA president to review the controversial red card. "Thank you to FIFA for doing what was right, and reversing a great injustice!" Trump posted on Truth Social.

Has U.S. Soccer or FIFA made any comment regarding the suspensions?

Neither FIFA nor U.S. Soccer has commented on the suspensions. The latest statement from U.S. Soccer came after its loss to Belgium, which ended the USMNT's run in the tournament.

"Thank you for standing with us and for believing in this team," read a post from the official USMNT account on Instagram. "Thank you for believing in the future of soccer in this country."

"Country roads, take us home."

Contributing: USA TODAY

Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com.

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