World Cup 2026: USA's Folarin Balogun stars against Paraguay after rise at Arsenal and switch away from England
Folarin Balogun scored twice in USA's World Cup opener against Paraguay; the 24-year-old striker came through the ranks at Arsenal and played for England U21s but made the move to Monaco and is now primed to be a standout star for Mauricio Pochettino's co-hosts
Monday 15 June 2026 19:39, UK
Born in the USA and born for the big stage.
Folarin Balogun was America's star on the opening night of their home World Cup, scoring twice in their thrilling 4-1 win over Paraguay.
For a country that loves to celebrate individuals in sport, the Stars and Stripes' No 9 is a fitting icon.
There have been twists and turns on his journey but there was something of an inevitability Balogun would be the co-hosts' hero in Los Angeles.
His story started on the other coast, where a twist of fate saw him born in New York and thus eligible to represent USA. His Nigerian parents had flown over from their home in London but, with his mother heavily pregnant, were prevented from flying back until after his birth.
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Back in England, Balogun's football talent was well documented as he rose through the Arsenal academy. The buzz was around Balogun as he developed with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah at Hale End.
But, with first-team opportunities up front limited, it was a breakout loan at Reims in France's Ligue 1 where Balogun made his first major impact in senior football. He scored 21 goals in 37 appearances.
That summer, in 2023, Monaco moved in and offered Arsenal £35m. A sum too good to turn down - and an opportunity Balogun, hungry for action, was eager to take up. It was time to go out and make his name.
It was another decision he made in May 2023, though, which defined his career on the international stage.
Balogun had represented England up to U21 level but talk of a switch to USA, whose youth set-up he had also featured in, was always there. With the U21 Euros approaching, Balogun flew to Orlando.
There were a series of meetings with US officials and a photo of Balogun in the States went viral. Balogun's Instagram account was inundated with US fans imploring him to switch to the USA. A football-mad dad and his son approached him one morning at breakfast, underlining how much he would be appreciated. The vision was sold, the choice was made.
Three years out from a World Cup in the USA, Balogun was suddenly on a path to a leading role in Friday's showpiece, the tournament coinciding with him entering the peak years of his career.
USA have been crying out for a No 9 since the days of Jozy Altidore and, before him, Brian McBride. Balogun is now that man.
He scored his first goal for USA in the CONCACAF Nations League final win over Canada in 2023 and his route to starting up front at the World Cup was set.
Balogun's potential was clear to USA chiefs in 2023 and it was clear to Mauricio Pochettino when he took charge of the team in 2024. Balogun is believed to be the first player Pochettino flew to meet after accepting the role. Injuries delayed Balogun's availability for Pochettino but the trust was there from the start.
Timing is everything. And Balogun's run of form at the back end of Monaco's season primed him for his headline-grabbing night.
After a 2024/25 season disrupted by injury, Balogun hit a hot streak in February, scoring twice in the Champions League against Paris Saint-Germain and then scoring and assisting against the European champions in Ligue 1 soon after.
These are the big games he loves. He is a player who prepares well and uses that to deliver ice-cold performances on the pitch; a player who welcomes the pressure rather than runs from it.
Balogun found the net in eight straight league games as part of 11 goals in 14 matches to close out the campaign. He then showed his sharpness with USA's winner against Senegal two weeks ago.
Against Paraguay, it all came together.
Two goals, finishing with panache off both feet, the striker born in New York, raised in London and thriving in France took the World Cup by storm.
There is something of an irony that a player unable to make the cut at Arsenal is now key for former Spurs boss Pochettino. But it is bigger than that.
The hosts have Christian Pulisic, dubbed their 'Captain America'. Now they have a star striker to celebrate - and make them dream of what they could achieve at this World Cup.
