Folarin Balogun’s journey to becoming a centerpiece of the U.S. men’s national team began with an unusual recruitment push in March 2023, when American fans and U.S. Soccer worked to persuade the striker to choose the United States over England and Nigeria. The Brooklyn-born, London-raised forward had already represented the U.S. at youth level, but his breakout loan season with Reims in France made him one of the most coveted dual-national players in international soccer.
Balogun was eligible for three nations, but the United States identified a major need at striker and moved quickly. During the March 2023 international window, he traveled to Orlando after withdrawing from England Under-21 duty. U.S. supporters discovered he was in town after spotting clues in a social media photo, then flooded his Instagram with American flag emojis and messages urging him to commit. The effort resembled aggressive college recruiting, with fans, coaches and U.S. Soccer all pitching him on the national team.
His visit included a meeting with interim coach Anthony Hudson, dinners with U.S. stars such as Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Yunus Musah, Tim Ream and Matt Turner, and even outreach from the New York Yankees and Orlando Magic. A few months later, Balogun made his decision official, saying he was “fully committed” to the United States. He said he followed his heart, and the choice was celebrated as a major coup for U.S. Soccer.
The move paid off quickly. Balogun scored his first U.S. goal in the 2023 Concacaf Nations League final against Canada and then impressed at the 2024 Copa América, where he scored twice in three matches, including a standout goal against Panama after the U.S. was reduced to 10 men. Since then, he has continued to produce for the national team, adding more goals in 2025 and building a strong record of nine goals and four assists in 27 appearances.
Now, as the U.S. opens World Cup play against Paraguay, Balogun is expected to be one of the team’s key attacking threats. Tim Ream has praised his quick movement, strength, and ability to create space and scoring chances, calling him the most difficult striker to face in training. Balogun enters the tournament in excellent form, with 12 goals in his last 18 matches for club and country and 19 goals in all competitions for Monaco this season.
For Balogun, the World Cup represents the full-circle moment of a decision made three years ago. Playing on home soil, in front of family, friends and American fans, he now has the chance to justify the hype and help lead the U.S. attack on soccer’s biggest stage.
