US Soccer officials barred by FIFA from Belgium World Cup match over apparent protocol violations: report

FIFA issued suspensions to at least two key members of the U.S. Soccer Federation ahead of Monday’s World Cup matchup with Belgium, according to multiple reports.

ESPN reported that team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Federation Vice President of Security Frank Pannell were the two staff members barred from the match. The U.S. went on to suffer a 4-1 loss to Belgium, ending its 2026 World Cup run.

The tournament’s governing body did not provide a reason for the suspensions.

ESPN, citing sources, also reported that the suspensions were likely tied to incidents that occurred during Team USA’s victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina last week in the Round of 32. The alleged violations involved FIFA match protocols and individuals possibly entering restricted areas. There were no known physical altercations.

After joining the U.S. Soccer Federation in 2015, Zapatka was named team administrative manager in 2020.

While U.S. Soccer did not reveal why the suspensions were imposed, it stressed Tuesday that they were not connected to the appeal process surrounding star striker Folarin Balogun’s one-match red-card suspension.

Belgium challenged FIFA’s decision to lift Balogun’s suspension, but the governing body ultimately stood by its original ruling, allowing Team USA’s forward to take the field.

President Donald Trump said Monday that he watched the controversial play and later called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the red card.

“I spoke with Gianni,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

“All I did was, I asked for a review, because I didn’t think it was a foul,” the president said. “And again, I’m good at this stuff. I didn’t think it was a foul. I thought it was two great athletes who crashed into each other and got entangled.”

With the victory over the U.S., Belgium advanced to the quarterfinals and will face Spain on Friday at Los Angeles Stadium.

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