Folarin Balogun
USA
FWD
Age
24
Appearances
0
Goals
0
About Folarin Balogun
Folarin Balogun is a forward in the USA's final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup, named by Mauricio Pochettino in the roster confirmed on 26 May 2026 and listed among the team's first-time World Cup players. The AS Monaco striker is 24 at kick-off and brings 25 senior caps and 8 international goals into the tournament, having joined Monaco permanently from Arsenal in August 2023 after a breakout loan spell at Reims.
The co-hosts are in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and Turkey, opening against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on 12 June. Balogun, who committed to the United States in 2023 ahead of England and Nigeria, is named in Pochettino's forward group for the home tournament, one of the team's younger attacking options at 24.
The co-hosts are in Group D with Paraguay, Australia and Turkey, opening against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on 12 June. Balogun, who committed to the United States in 2023 ahead of England and Nigeria, is named in Pochettino's forward group for the home tournament, one of the team's younger attacking options at 24.
World Cup 2026 Stats
Appearances
0
Minutes played
0
Goals
0
Assists
0
Shots
0
Shots on Target
0
Playing Style
Balogun is a centre-forward, with finishing and movement in the box as the core of his game. He leads the line, times his runs across defenders, and looks to get on the end of chances rather than drop deep to build, a profile suited to playing off the shoulder of the last defender.
He broke out on loan at Reims with 21 Ligue 1 goals in 2022-23, then put together a nine-match scoring streak for Monaco in 2025-26. His 8 international goals in 25 caps fit a striker whose job is to convert the chances the USA create.
He broke out on loan at Reims with 21 Ligue 1 goals in 2022-23, then put together a nine-match scoring streak for Monaco in 2025-26. His 8 international goals in 25 caps fit a striker whose job is to convert the chances the USA create.
World Cup History
The 2026 World Cup is set to be Balogun's first senior World Cup, with the centre-forward named in Mauricio Pochettino's final 26 for the home tournament as one of the USA's first-time players. His international career to date is measured by his 25 caps and 8 international goals rather than by previous senior World Cup minutes.
He committed to the United States in 2023, ahead of England and Nigeria, and brings the form of a nine-match Monaco scoring streak into the squad. Group D opens against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on 12 June.
He committed to the United States in 2023, ahead of England and Nigeria, and brings the form of a nine-match Monaco scoring streak into the squad. Group D opens against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on 12 June.
National Team
USA
Tier 3
£17m
📋 Teammates (10)
View teamGoalkeepers
Midfielders
Forwards
Goal Rush Impact
Eight goals from 25 caps, a nine-match club scoring streak in 2025-26 and a centre-forward's movement in the box are what Balogun brings to the USA's centre-forward slot. The £17m is a Tier 3 price within the game's £200m card budget.
As a debutant leading the line, he gives the slot its goal threat by getting on the end of the chances that fall to him when he starts up front for the co-hosts.
As a debutant leading the line, he gives the slot its goal threat by getting on the end of the chances that fall to him when he starts up front for the co-hosts.
🏆 Goal Rush
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Balogun at the 2026 World Cup
The 2026 World Cup is set to be Balogun's first, with the Monaco striker named in Pochettino's final 26 as one of the USA's first-time players. He arrives on the form of a nine-match club scoring streak, with the co-hosts opening Group D against Paraguay in Inglewood on 12 June.
Picking USA in Goal Rush
On matchday, the USA's home Group D card runs Paraguay on 12 June, Australia on 19 June, then Turkey on 25 June. Balogun is one of the forwards Pochettino can turn to up front.
Folarin Balogun World Cup 2026 FAQs
The USA's Goal Rush price is £17m in Tier 3. With Balogun up front, the quick check is his centre-forward role: penalty-box presence, runs across defenders and a direct outlet for the co-hosts.
Balogun is a forward. He is a centre-forward known for finishing and movement in the box, leading the line and getting on the end of chances rather than dropping deep to build play.
Balogun has 25 caps for the USA with 8 international goals as of May 2026. The 2026 tournament is set to be his first senior World Cup, named in Pochettino's final 26 as a first-time player.
Balogun plays for AS Monaco, having joined permanently from Arsenal in August 2023. He broke out on loan at Reims with 21 Ligue 1 goals in 2022-23 before committing to the United States that year.
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