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Why Did Folarin Balogun Choose To Play For The USA? From Birth In Brooklyn To The US Soccer Team
Folarin Balogun has been playing for the US Soccer team for a long time. Notably, the player recently came into the headlines due to a controversy happened at the field.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleUS national team player, Folarin Balogun, recently started trending after a controversy at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was given a red card after he stepped on the right ankle of Tarik Muharemovic during a game on July 1, 2026 (ET). While Balogun expressed dissatisfaction with the decision, which led to his suspension from a game, the suspension has been lifted after President Donald Trump intervened in the matter.
The latest controversy has once again brought Folarin’s career into the spotlight. He has played for the U.S. senior national team and won the CONCACAF Nations League in 2023. While he has been playing for the U.S. all this time, the reasons behind the same have become a topic of discussion.
Folarin Balogun’s background is one of the reasons he plays for the USA
Folarin Balogun’s decision to play for the US was not random. It was a result of timing, eligibility, and a lot of other things. Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, Folarin came to London when he was around one month old. His background made him eligible to play for three countries. This included the United States by birth, England through residency, and Nigeria through his parents.
Folarin eventually represented England from U17 to U21 and appeared for the USA U-18s a few years ago in 2018. With a breakout 21-goal season at Reims behind him in 2023, Folarin had to choose a spot where he could commit his senior career. The striker position for England was taken by Harry Kane. A lot of Premier League forwards were also in the mix. Victor Osimhen was the striker for Nigeria.
However, the striker position for the USA was open, bringing the right opportunity for Folarin Balogun that he was looking for. He once said in an interview that the decision to represent the US “came together” with his family. Balogun stated that it was something that he wanted to do, and it felt like home. He further stated that his mother initially asked what took him so long when he decided to play for the US. Balogun continued by saying:
“I’ve always said the fans gave me so much motivation and showed me so much support. The most important thing has always been to be able to repay that.”
Folarin Balogun was born in Brooklyn and grew up in London
Folarin Balogun’s mother, Florence, was a resident of London. In 2001, she came to New York City to visit her family and was seven months pregnant at that time. When she attempted to return to England, she was not allowed to board the plane without medical clearance. She eventually started living with her relatives in Brooklyn and gave birth to Folarin in 2001.
The family then returned to London, where Folarin grew up. He was eight years old when he joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy and spent most of his time in England. Balogun himself said in an interview that he spent his youth in London and his career started at the same place. Folarin’s mother also said in an interview that everything that happened to her, including her journey to America, was not her luck. Balogun also addressed the same by saying:
“My mother came to the US to visit her sister, and she had her return ticket but then they said that she was too pregnant. So I was born in New York. The way I was eligible to represent America…I’m not going to be the person to stand in the way of this story.”
What are your thoughts about Folarin Balogun’s career with the US team and his early life? Let us know.
PC: balogun/Instagram
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