Sam Zapatka Biography – Sam Zapatka Wiki
Sam Zapatka serves as the team manager for the United States men’s national soccer team. He has been with the U.S. Soccer Federation since 2015 and moved into his current USMNT role in 2020. Before joining U.S. Soccer, Zapatka worked in a similar capacity with USA Volleyball.
His background in sports administration dates back more than a decade. Zapatka graduated from the International School of Bangkok in 2010 before earning a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management from Springfield College in 2013. He is also certified by BlazeSports America as a Certified Disability Sport Specialist (CDSS).
FIFA Suspension
Zapatka drew attention during the 2026 World Cup when FIFA suspended him and U.S. Soccer Federation vice president of security Frank Pannell from the team’s round-of-16 match against Belgium on July 7, 2026. According to ESPN, the disciplinary action stemmed from issues following the United States’ round-of-32 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, including the mishandling of FIFA match protocols and individuals entering restricted areas. The report noted that no physical altercation occurred.
A separate report from Front Office Sports suggested the suspensions may have been tied to U.S. striker Folarin Balogun returning to the field to celebrate the Americans’ 2-0 win over Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last 32. Balogun had been shown a red card in the second half, and players who are sent off are prohibited from returning to the pitch after their dismissal.
U.S. Soccer did not publicly provide a detailed explanation for the suspensions, saying only that the matter was not connected to the successful appeal that overturned Balogun’s one-game red card ban. The United States’ World Cup run ended in the next match with a 4-1 defeat to Belgium.
