Folarin Balogun makes strong USMNT promise for…
Folarin Balogun is aware of the United States males’s national crew exited the 2026 World Cup earlier than it wished.
But the star striker will not be giving up hope. In fact, he’s of the assumption that the USMNT will probably be back and better than ever in 4 years.
Balogun, who emerged as one of the brilliant spots and turned the middle of a World Cup crimson card controversy, took to X on Tuesday evening to categorical his emotions about his crew’s exit from the event.
Folarin Balogun of the U.S. celebrates scoring the crew’s first aim in the USMNT’s Round of 32 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina. Phil Noble-GWN via Imagn Images
“My debut World Cup… it hurts to wait 4 years to compete at the highest level our sport has to offer,” he wrote at some point after the U.S. misplaced 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16. “I need to make an apology to our followers it was not good enough when it mattered most and we allow you to down Soccer in America will only turn out to be larger the assumption, the expertise, and the eagerness is regularly growing and I do know the best days are in entrance of us, the future belongs to those who never stop believing, this second will fuel us.
“Why not us? For the nation. For the flag.”
Balogun, born to Nigerian mother and father in Brooklyn during a household journey to New York, grew up in London and initially competed internationally for England until he made the swap to the U.S. in 2023.
The 25-year-old’s World Cup debut couldn’t have began any better with two targets against Paraguay before including what proved to be the game-winner in a Round of 32 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Nevertheless, early in the second half against Bosnia, he by chance stepped on the ankle of Tarik Muharemovic. Video assistant review (VAR) then ruled that what he did constituted a crimson card, which means he was out of the sport and the next. That is, until FIFA, at some point before the Americans’ Round of 16 recreation against Belgium, determined to reverse course.
Folarin Balogun (proper) dribbles the ball up the sphere during the USMNT’s World Cup Round of 16 loss to Belgium on July 6, 2026 in Seattle. Xinhua/Shutterstock
President Donald Trump revealed he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who later confirmed the call but said it didn’t issue in the choice to reinstate Balogun.
Whether the crimson card brouhaha impressed Belgium or not, it got here out firing on Monday and never seemed back in a 4-1 win, which included the crew even trolling Trump with his signature dance on the ultimate aim in the waning seconds.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said after his crew’s win that he appreciated having a chat with Balogun — held off the scoresheet in the loss — after the ultimate whistle.
“It is not his fault. He is not the one to blame — and that’s what I told him,” the coach said. “I really appreciate the intention that he came to see me. I appreciate this player.”
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