Arsenal youngster Balogun to join USMNT

Arsenal forward Folarin Balogun has decided he will represent the US on the international stage, with FIFA approving the request the change his national eligibility from England to America.

FIFA allows players to change their national eligibility before playing in a competitive game at senior level. "The change of association of the player Folarin Jolaoluwa Balogun from England to the USA has been approved," a FIFA spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Reims and so far this season has scored 19 league goals with the Ligue 1 side in 34 appearances. Although he grew up in London, and has also played with the England U-21s, he was born in Brooklyn, and therefore is eligible to play for the USA. He also would have been able to choose to play for Nigeria, where his parents were born.

He said in an interview with the Ligue 1 website earlier this season: “London is my city, it’s where I grew up, where my friends are"

"If people ask me where I’m from, I say I’m English. But, yes, I am a mixture of all these cultures", he added.

He was spotted in Florida in March, fuelling the rumours of the switch. He joins fellow Arsenal player Matt Turner, who is the starting goal keeper for the USMNT.  He will be eligible to be selected for the CONCACAF Nations League for the US, where they will play Mexico in Las Vegas for the semi-finals.

 

May 16, 2023