The United States was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup on Monday, July 6, via a 4-1 loss to Belgium. However, the next day, reports emerged citing that two U.S. staff members had been suspended prior to the game.
The staff members in question were team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Federation vice president of security Frank Pannell. FIFA offered no reason as to why these suspensions were being doled out.
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. His suspension clearly wasn’t the only one fans needed to be worried about, though.
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.”
Who are Sam Zapatka and Frank Pannell?
Team administrative manager Sam Zapatka has been in this position since 2020, having worked with the United States Soccer Federation since 2015. As administrative manager, Zapatka primarily handled off the field operations for the U.S. men’s national team.
Per Front Office Sports, Frank Pannell worked with both the Secret Service and CIA before turning to private security.
Did U.S. Soccer or FIFA make any comment?
USA TODAY approached both FIFA and U.S. Soccer for comment.
U.S. Soccer directed all questions to FIFA, which did not immediately respond.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Two USMNT staff members were suspended by FIFA for game vs. Belgium. Why?
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