- S. Soccer’s appeal to Fifa for a forward qualification amendment was granted.
- This season, Balogan has registered 19 goals in the league while on contract at Reims.
Folarin Balogun, a forward for Arsenal, has decided that he would like to play for the United States of America at the upper ranks. On Tuesday, Fifa granted an application from US Soccer to move his national qualification from England to the United States.
Balogun, who has appeared for Britain through to the under-21 level, has been a standout for Reims on loans in Ligue 1 this year. However, it appears that he will play for the United States national team in the upcoming men’s World Cup in 2026, which will be co-hosted by the United States.
Although he was raised in Brooklyn, the 21-year-old forward has spent most of his childhood in London, where he has notched nineteen goals in the first division of French football this season. Because both of Balogun’s parents were Nigerian citizens, he was able to compete for Nigeria in international football.
After US Soccer announced the change, Balogun said it was a “no-brainer” to make the choice. “My choice for representing the United States occurred together thanks to my family,” he informed the US Football website when he was asked about his desire to play for the national team. “In the end, it was so obvious that I didn’t even have to think about it, but I knew it was something I was interested in doing, and being here makes me believe I’m at home.
He went on to say that many underestimate how meaningful it is to stand for the United States of America. I am incredibly grateful and humbled to have been given this chance, and I intend to do everything in my power to contribute to the accomplishments of our group.
The news that Balogun will play for the United States of America comes five weeks before England begin their competition in European Championship in the Under-21. This year’s tournament is being co-hosted by Georgia and Romania. In Group C, the team captained by Lee Carsley will compete against the Czech Republic, Israel, and Germany.
The transfer is a victory for United States Soccer, which pursued Balogun in March during a trip to Florida with the intention of signing him. It is anticipated that he will be a part of the United States men’s national team roster during the Gold Cup, which the United States will host from June 24 through July 16 this year.
