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

FIFA issued suspensions to astatine slightest 2 cardinal members of the U.S. Soccer Federation up of Monday's World Cup matchup with Belgium, according to aggregate reports.

ESPN reported that squad manager Sam Zapatka and U.S. Soccer Federation Vice President of Security Frank Pannell were the 2 unit members barred from the match. The U.S. went connected to endure a 4-1 nonaccomplishment to Belgium, ending its 2026 World Cup run.

The tournament's governing assemblage did not supply a crushed for the suspensions.

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A elaborate presumption of the United States Soccer Federation crest logo is seen successful the subordinate and squad passageway successful crippled enactment during an International affable lucifer betwixt the United States and the Ecuador men's nationalist teams connected March 21, 2019 astatine Orlando City Stadium successful Orlando, Florida. (Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

ESPN, citing sources, besides reported that the suspensions were apt tied to incidents that occurred during Team USA's triumph implicit Bosnia and Herzegovina past week successful the Round of 32. The alleged violations progressive FIFA lucifer protocols and individuals perchance entering restricted areas. There were nary known carnal altercations.

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

While U.S. Soccer did not uncover wherefore the suspensions were imposed, it stressed Tuesday that they were not connected to the entreaty process surrounding prima striker Folarin Balogun's one-match red-card suspension.

Preparations are made to Soccer House up of the 2026 FIFA World Cup astatine Venice Beach, connected June 06, 2026 successful Los Angeles, California. (Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

Belgium challenged FIFA's determination to assistance Balogun's suspension, but the governing assemblage yet stood by its archetypal ruling, allowing Team USA's guardant to instrumentality the field.

President Donald Trump said Monday that helium watched the arguable play and aboriginal called FIFA President Gianni Infantino to sermon the reddish card.

"I spoke with Gianni," Trump told reporters astatine the White House.

United States men's nationalist squad guardant Folarin Balogun is shown a reddish paper by referee Raphael Claus successful Santa Clara, California, July 1, 2026. (Phil Noble/Reuters via Imagn Images)

"All I did was, I asked for a review, due to the fact that I didn’t deliberation it was a foul," the president said. "And again, I’m bully astatine this stuff. I didn’t deliberation it was a foul. I thought it was 2 large athletes who crashed into each different and got entangled."

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With the triumph implicit the U.S., Belgium precocious to the quarterfinals and volition look Spain connected Friday astatine Los Angeles Stadium.

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