Before the USMNT even kicked off against Belgium, two of their own officials had already been suspended by FIFA. The match ended 4-1 to Belgium. The week ended in chaos.
Team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer vice president of security Frank Pannell were both suspended by FIFA ahead of Tuesday's contest, according to Front Office Sports. They appear to be the only team officials suspended by FIFA across the entire 2026 World Cup. No other federation has had to deal with anything like this — and the U.S. has managed to rack up multiple disciplinary actions in the span of days.
The Balogun mess that started it all
The suspensions almost certainly trace back to the Folarin Balogun situation, even if no one on either side will confirm it. Balogun received a red card during the USMNT's 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina — then was filmed celebrating on the pitch afterward, which FIFA rules expressly prohibit for dismissed players. That triggered a fine for both Balogun and U.S. Soccer from the disciplinary committee, who released a 13-point statement laying out the punishments.
Then FIFA reversed Balogun's one-game ban entirely, allowing him to start against Belgium despite protests and a formal appeal from the Belgian football federation. He played. The U.S. lost 4-1.
Whether Zapatka and Pannell were suspended for something related to Balogun's post-red card celebrations, the subsequent fine, or something else entirely is still unclear. U.S. Soccer's spokesperson acknowledged the suspensions but directed all questions to FIFA. FIFA declined to comment.
The officials themselves
Zapatka has been with U.S. Soccer for 11 years, rising from national teams coordinator to team manager — someone deeply embedded in the program's day-to-day operations. Pannell reportedly comes from a background in the Secret Service and CIA before moving into private security. These aren't peripheral figures.
The suspension of two officials with those profiles, mid-tournament, with no public explanation, is the kind of thing that doesn't just disappear after a group stage exit. Someone inside U.S. Soccer is going to have to answer for how this week unraveled so completely — on the pitch and off it.
