Why does Folarin Balogun play for USA? Explaining USMNT star's citizenship for 2026 World Cup

Why does Folarin Balogun play for USA? Explaining USMNT star’s citizenship for 2026 World Cup originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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Folarin Balogun has been one of the USMNT’s highest-profile players since he made his debut for the national side in 2023. His presence at the tip of the Americans’ attack can be considered something of a godsend for the U.S. Soccer Federation. After all, he spent almost the entirety of his youth in London.

Balogun leads a roster filled with dual nationals. His story is perhaps the most intriguing, having been born in Brooklyn but raised almost exclusively in England.

Predictably, some could be confused by Balogun’s eligibility. On a practical level, he speaks with an English accent and claims London as his hometown. Wouldn’t that render his place on the USMNT in jeopardy?

Not exactly. With that, here’s what you need to know about Balogun’s eligibility, background and more.

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Why does Folarin Balogun play for USA?

Balogun announced his intention to play for the USMNT in May 2023, spurning England and Nigeria interest to lock down his future with the Stars and Stripes. Balogun called his decision a “no-brainer”, adding that he felt at “home” in the USMNT ranks.

“When I broke the news to my family they were all just over the moon, especially my mom,” Balogun said, per ESPN. “She said, ‘What took you so long?’

“To represent the United States means a lot, more than people would know. I’m very proud and honoured to have this opportunity, and I want to give everything I have to make our team successful.”

Balogun had his choice of suitors, shining at youth level with the Three Lions while being eligible to play for the Super Eagles through his parents. Both sides were stocked full of options at the striker position at the time of his declaration: Harry Kane led the line for England, while Ollie Watkins, Callum Wilson and Ivan Toney proved capable backups. Nigeria’s attack, meanwhile, was helmed by former Serie A and African Footballer of the Year Victor Osimhen. In other words, there wasn’t a clear pathway for Balogun to establish himself as first-choice striker at St. George’s Park or Abuja.

By tying down his future with the Americans, Balogun stole a march on less prolific striker candidates. He wasn’t quite cemented as the USMNT’s No. 9 — at least not coming out of the gate. But he did carry the sort of pedigree that would inspire hope that he could lead the line for the U.S. in tournaments to come.

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Folarin Balogun nationality

Balogun is a U.S. citizen, having been born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents on July 3, 2001. His family moved to the United Kingdom within a month of his birth.

As the story goes, Balogun’s mother vacationed in the U.S. while seven months pregnant. She was barred from her return flight due to concerns over her pregnancy, so she briefly moved in with her sister-in-law in Brooklyn before giving birth to her son.

Balogun is a tri-national, holding U.S. citizenship through jus soli (birth in the territory), U.K. citizenship through naturalization and Nigerian citizenship through his parents, both of whom were born and raised in Nigeria.

Where is Folarin Balogun from?

Balogun was born in Brooklyn, but moved to London when he was one month old. He grew up a Gooner, joining Arsenal’s legendary Hale End academy at eight years old. Balogun would spend 15 years with his boyhood club, making 10 appearances and tallying two goals. Following a successful loan spell at Ligue 1 side Reims in 2022-23, where he finished the league as the fourth top goal-scorer with 21 goals, Balogun returned to Arsenal. He was sold to Monaco in Aug. 2023, netting the Gunners a reported fee of €30 million, which could rise to €40 million with add-ons.

Folarin Balogun’s parents

Balogun was born to Florence and Ben Balogun on July 3, 2001. His parents were born in Nigeria and lived in London at the time of Folarin’s birth. They are of Yoruba heritage.

The Baloguns have supported Folarin throughout his career, often making the trek from London to France to see his games. They also felt Folarin’s decision to play for the USMNT was written in the stars, citing the dramatic story of his birth as the reason he was destined to play for the Americans.

“I don’t believe things happened by luck,” Florence said in a 2023 ESPN profile. “I think for me to have gone to America and for me to have had him there, it is just something that has really stuck with me. Even when he wasn’t even thinking of making an international decision, I’d already made up my mind that he is going to play for America.”

FIFA eligibility rules

FIFA’s criteria for turning out for a national team has often been underpinned by nationality. If one holds nationality for a country, they are eligible to play for said country.

There is wiggle room within that definition: in 2004, FIFA ruled that players must demonstrate a “clear connection” to a country in order to play for its national team. Players can gain eligibility through their parents or grandparents if they were born in a different country to the one the player was born in, for example.

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