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After years of searching for a capable talent to take the reins of the No. 9 slot, the USMNT finally looks to have found a goal-scorer to set off fireworks in and around the net. Ironically enough, he hails from England.
Folarin Balogun is one of the USMNT's biggest stars, producing goals at club and international level. The Monaco star has become one of Ligue 1's most consistent strikers, earning Player of the Season honors after a 19-goal campaign.
With the Americans, Balogun has been similarly prolific. He has 11 goals in 28 USMNT caps, including a brace in the Americans' 4-1 win over Paraguay on June 12.
Balogun is a fixture in the U.S. setup and figures to be for a long time. But just where did he get his start? The Sporting News gives you the run down on Balogun's origins and unique journey to the top of U.S. soccer lore.
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Where is Folarin Balogun from?
Balogun was born in Brooklyn. But he's a London boy through-and-through, moving to England's capital city when he was just a month old.
Balogun came up in Hale End, Arsenal's famed youth academy. He spent 15 years with the club, making 10 appearances and scoring two goals. After loan spells at Middlesbrough and Reims, Balogun moved to Ligue 1 powerhouse Monaco for a reported fee of €30 million, which could rise to €40 million with add-ons.
Folarin Balogun hometown
Balogun's hometown is a matter of perspective. He was born in Brooklyn — ESPN reported that Balogun's mother went on vacation to New York when she was seven months pregnant with him. As the story goes, the airline barred her from her return flight to England, citing her pregnancy. She stayed with a sister-in-law in Brooklyn, giving birth to Balogun on July 3, 2001.
"I don't believe things happened by luck," Balogun's mother told ESPN in 2023. "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."
Despite his Brooklyn roots, Balogun spent effectively his entire childhood and adolescence in London. His parents were living there at the time of his birth and he would've been born there had the flight crew for his mother's return flight to England let her on the plane.
When asked by Soccer Bible which place he identified more with — London or the U.S. —, the 24-year-old celebrated both.
"London, definitely," Balogun said. "That’s where I grew up, where I spent most of my youth, and where my career started.
"But as I’ve gotten older, I’ve travelled more and spent more time in the US, so now it feels split. London built the foundation, and the US has shaped the later stages.
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Folarin Balogun nationality
Balogun holds citizenship in three nations: the United States, England and Nigeria. His U.S. citizenship comes from the fact that he was born in the country, his England citizenship is the result of his naturalization and his Nigerian citizenship is passed down by his mother and father.
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.
FIFA eligibility rules
FIFA's criteria for turning out for a national team often has 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.
There's a residency requirement for players lacking birth or ancestral connection to a specific country, with FIFA requiring that players live in a country for five or more years after reaching the age of 18 to be eligible to play for said country's national team.
It's also important to note that participating in an international friendly isn't enough to ensure a player is tied to a national team. A player is permitted a one-time switch if they have only appeared in friendly matches for one nation and meet FIFA's eligibility requirements for playing for another country (e.g., born in the other country, biological mother or father was born in the country, biological grandmother or grandfather was born in the country or have resided in country for five years after reaching 18 years old). For example, Declan Rice made three appearances for Ireland before joining England's setup in 2019.
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