United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino observed his team during the World Cup round of 16 match against Belgium held in Seattle on Monday, July 6, 2026. During this match, two staff members from the U.S. soccer team faced suspension.
FIFA suspended team manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Federation vice president of security Frank Pannell, but did not disclose the reasons for their discipline. The U.S. Soccer Federation also withheld explanation, only stating that the suspension was not linked to recently overturned forward Folarin Balogun’s one-game red-card suspension.
Sam Zapatka has served as the team’s administrative manager since 2020, with his employment at USSF beginning in 2015. Despite their efforts, the United States team was eliminated from the World Cup following their 4-1 defeat against Belgium.
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