Stade de Reims striker Folarin Balogun has applied for, and received, a one-time-switch waiver from FIFA – allowing him to represent the United States. Balogun – the Brooklyn-born, London-raised forward – will be able to represent the nation of his birth at the international level.
US Soccer confirmed that Balogun would be representing the country in a statement – adding that he’s expected to join the team for the upcoming CONCACAF Nations League semifinals in June.
“We are delighted that Folarin has chosen to represent the United States,” said USMNT head coach Anthony Hudson. “Not only is he an extremely talented player, he’s also a good man who is going to add value to our National Team both on and off the field at a time when the team is continuing to improve. It’s clear that he values his U.S. roots and we can’t wait for him to come in and be a part of the team.”
In recent months, Balogun has been starring in France’s Ligue 1 – currently sitting fifth in the league’s scoring table with 19 goals and two assists in 34 matches.
But he failed to receive any call ups from England manager Gareth Southgate to the senior team. He’s expressed his frustration through social media multiple times. The Arsenal loanee had the option to play for the United States, England or Nigeria – the nation of his parents’ birth – at the senior level.
Balogun’s addition to the United States men’s national team could immediately fill the void left behind by the likes of Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore in a position that failed to perform well for the USMNT at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Balogun represented the United States at the U-18 level, but played for England youth teams at U-17, U-18, U-20, and U-21 levels. As of late, the striker has made 13 appearances for the England U-21s and bagged seven goals.
But this season, he began expressing his displeasure that Southgate had routinely passed him over despite his impressive form for ‘Les rouges et blancs’. He posted on his Instagram story back in March, saying, “In life, go where your [sic] appreciated.”