Arsenal striker Folarin Balogun has chosen to represent the United States men’s national team and not the Super Eagles of Nigeria and England’s Three Lions.
World football governing body, FIFA revealed on Tuesday that it has accepted the US Soccer Federation’s request to change the 21-year-old’s national team eligibility to that of the North American nation.
LET’S MAKE HISTORY! pic.twitter.com/DIsf0tCYVY
— Balogun (@balogun) May 16, 2023
Balogun was born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents and grew up in London, providing him with the opportunity to play for any of the three nations.
He represented both the United States and England at the youth level, with his most recent national duties coming on the English U-21 side.
However, the Arsenal loanee will now don the outfit of the USMNT due to FIFA rules allowing players to change national eligibility before playing in a competitive game at the senior level.
????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????
Forward Folarin Balogun commits to represent #USMNT in international competition » https://t.co/y6HzG5XoEp pic.twitter.com/MtXV9ZRot9
— U.S. Men's National Soccer Team (@USMNT) May 16, 2023
Balogun has shone this season for French side Reims, with numerous impressive performances.
The Arsenal Academy graduate has 20 goals in all competitions this season, including 19 goals in 34 Ligue 1 matches.
With the CONCACAF Gold Cup scheduled for this summer, Balogun would be eligible for selection by the USMNT, and his inclusion will definitely add more quality to the Yanks.
