Two senior officials of the United States men’s national team were suspended by FIFA immediately before the team’s round‑of‑16 match against Belgium.
The disciplinary action was unrelated to the eligibility dispute surrounding forward Folarin Balogun. It stemmed from an incident in the previous round against Bosnia and Herzegovina, leaving officials Zapatka and Pannell unable to fulfill their duties, though the exact circumstances remain unclear.
This development adds further off‑field turmoil to a tournament that has already presented numerous challenges for the host nation, which had previously been focused on Balogun’s situation.
Balogen, who was sent off in the Bosnia match, incurred an automatic one‑match suspension that should have barred him from playing against Belgium.
The suspension was subsequently lifted after a high‑level appeal, and Belgium’s request to maintain the ban was rejected, allowing Balogun to take the field.
Belgium proved decisive, securing a 4‑1 victory. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, Hans Van Aken added a third, and Romelu Lukaku completed the tally in stoppage time, while Malik Tillman’s free‑kick provided the United States with its sole goal before a goalkeeper error led to Belgium’s third.
The match attracted a record U.S. soccer television audience, peaking at nearly 37 million viewers, with the surge occurring as the pivotal goalkeeper mistake unfolded.
The loss eliminates the United States from the World Cup, concluding their campaign in the knockout stage.
