đź“‚ CategorĂa: Football,World Cup | đź“… Fecha: 1781889827
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The football vs soccer debate has taken another turn.
As the U.S. prepare to take on Australia knowing victory would secure a spot in the World Cup knockout stages, Folarin Balogun is expected to shoulder much of the goalscoring burden.
The Monaco striker came through Arsenal’s youth system and represented England all the way up to Under-21 level.
But the ace switched allegiance to the country of his birth in 2023 and hasn’t looked back.
Balogun’s 10th and 11th international goals helped inspire a 4-1 demolition of Paraguay that ensured Mauricio Pochettino’s team won’t be taken lightly on home soil.
Fans have clearly drawn inspiration too and one chant has gone viral on social media.
Set to the tune of Shakira’s 2010 World Cup anthem Waka Waka, the song cheekily fires a shot across the pond claiming the U.S. ‘stole’ Balogun from England.
Long convinced of their superiority in the field of terrace chants, Three Lions fans have been forced to admit that this one is a banger.
“Okay… they’re starting to get it now,” wrote one supporter on X.
“You’ve got to appreciate the progress,” added another.
“Took them long enough,” a third jibed.
England, of course, got off to a flying start as well with a 4-2 triumph over Croatia.
Harry Kane’s two goals mean Balogun, who could also have represented Nigeria, isn’t being missed too much, but at 24, the hotshot clearly has a bright future.
Already assured of legendary status, he will be half way to a parade and statue if he can spearhead a deep run.
Why did Folarin Balogun choose the USA over England?
“My decision to represent the United States, it came together with my family,” Balogun told US Soccer in May 2023.
“We decided it would be the right thing for me, to represent the country I was born in.
“In the end it became a no-brainer. But, for sure, it’s just something I wanted to do and it feels like I’m at home here.”
Balogun’s mother Florence took a vacation to New York in 2001 while heavily pregnant and after being refused a flight home, Folarin was born on U.S. soil.
History Makers
He grew up in London and joined Arsenal aged eight, but failed to nail down a starting spot despite showing promise.
“I don’t believe things happened by luck,” Florence Balogun told ESPN.
“I think for me to have gone to America and for me to have had him there, it is just something that has really stuck with me.
“Even when he wasn’t even thinking of making an international decision, I’d already made up my mind that he is going to play for America.”
Stay up to date on all things USMNT across our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET.
The football vs soccer debate has taken another turn.
As the U.S. prepare to take on Australia knowing victory would secure a spot in the World Cup knockout stages, Folarin Balogun is expected to shoulder much of the goalscoring burden.
The Monaco striker came through Arsenal’s youth system and represented England all the way up to Under-21 level.
But the ace switched allegiance to the country of his birth in 2023 and hasn’t looked back.
Balogun’s 10th and 11th international goals helped inspire a 4-1 demolition of Paraguay that ensured Mauricio Pochettino’s team won’t be taken lightly on home soil.
Fans have clearly drawn inspiration too and one chant has gone viral on social media.
Set to the tune of Shakira’s 2010 World Cup anthem Waka Waka, the song cheekily fires a shot across the pond claiming the U.S. ‘stole’ Balogun from England.
Long convinced of their superiority in the field of terrace chants, Three Lions fans have been forced to admit that this one is a banger.
“Okay… they’re starting to get it now,” wrote one supporter on X.
“You’ve got to appreciate the progress,” added another.
“Took them long enough,” a third jibed.
England, of course, got off to a flying start as well with a 4-2 triumph over Croatia.
Harry Kane’s two goals mean Balogun, who could also have represented Nigeria, isn’t being missed too much, but at 24, the hotshot clearly has a bright future.
Already assured of legendary status, he will be half way to a parade and statue if he can spearhead a deep run.
Why did Folarin Balogun choose the USA over England?
“My decision to represent the United States, it came together with my family,” Balogun told US Soccer in May 2023.
“We decided it would be the right thing for me, to represent the country I was born in.
“In the end it became a no-brainer. But, for sure, it’s just something I wanted to do and it feels like I’m at home here.”
Balogun’s mother Florence took a vacation to New York in 2001 while heavily pregnant and after being refused a flight home, Folarin was born on U.S. soil.
History Makers
He grew up in London and joined Arsenal aged eight, but failed to nail down a starting spot despite showing promise.
“I don’t believe things happened by luck,” Florence Balogun told ESPN.
“I think for me to have gone to America and for me to have had him there, it is just something that has really stuck with me.
“Even when he wasn’t even thinking of making an international decision, I’d already made up my mind that he is going to play for America.”
Stay up to date on all things USMNT across our talkSPORT platforms – subscribe to our YouTube channel for the latest news, opinion, exclusive interviews and our daily unfiltered, unscripted show ‘The S* Word, from 8am ET.
đź’ˇ Puntos Clave
- Este artĂculo cubre aspectos importantes sobre Football,World Cup
- InformaciĂłn verificada y traducida de fuente confiable
- Contenido actualizado y relevante para nuestra audiencia
đź“š InformaciĂłn de la Fuente
| đź“° PublicaciĂłn: | talksport.com |
| ✍️ Autor: | Jamie Gordon |
| đź“… Fecha Original: | 2026-06-19 17:22:00 |
| đź”— Enlace: | Ver artĂculo original |
Nota de transparencia: Este artĂculo ha sido traducido y adaptado del inglĂ©s al español para facilitar su comprensiĂłn. El contenido se mantiene fiel a la fuente original, disponible en el enlace proporcionado arriba.
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