Folarin Balogun Scores Twice for USMNT in World Cup Qualifiers

Folarin Balogun, a 24-year-old striker currently playing for Monaco, has qualified to represent the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) in the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to his birth in the United States. Balogun's mother, Florence, recounted in an interview with ESPN that while she was seven months pregnant, she was denied boarding a flight from London to New York due to her pregnancy.

As a result, she gave birth to Balogun in Brooklyn, New York. After returning to London with her son, Balogun enrolled in Arsenal's academy at the age of eight and progressed to represent England at the U21 level.

In 2023, he made the decision to join the USMNT, where he is now entrusted by coach Mauricio Pochettino to spearhead the attack. Balogun scored twice in the USMNT's 4-1 win against Paraguay.