…because of Nigerian New Yorkers like you.” Mamdani cited U.S. international footballer Folarin Balogun, born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, as an example of Nigerian contributions to American life. He said Nigeria’s cultural influence extended across Africa, describing Lagos and Nigeria as important sources of identi…

…League. – Balogun missing – But they were left reeling as United States World Cup star Folarin Balogun backed out of an agreed £40 million ($54 million) transfer to Everton on deadline day. That was just after Monaco had pulled out of a deal to sell Lamine Camara to Chelsea, when they were banking on Balogun finalising…

…The new contract will see Pochettino continue working with emerging talents including Folarin Balogun, Alex Freeman and Malik Tillman while overseeing the development of the next generation of American players. Reacting to the extension, Pochettino said he and his coaching staff were convinced of the country’s potentia…

…one of the primary incidents highlighted by the advisory body is the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s red card. The United States player received a red card during the victory against Bosnia and Herzegovina, but following a call from Donald Trump, FIFA decided to suspend the red card for a year, permitting the striker t…

…told The Times they are set to make a formal complaint to FIFA over the suspension of Folarin Balogun’s World Cup ban because it has put “the whole game at risk”. Lise Klaveness, the president of the Norwegian Football Federation (NFF), says she will seek the backing of her board at a meeting on August 6 to lodge the c…

…Trump infamously phoned Infantino to ask FIFA to suspend a red card against USA striker Folarin Balogun so he could play in a last-16 match against Belgium. Despite the ensuing controversy over fairness and influence, Trump has hailed the 2026 tournament as the best ever. “This has been the most successful sporting eve…

…the FIFA chief to lobby for a review of the red card handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun earlier in the tournament-a move that raised eyebrows across the sporting world.FIFA is also keeping a close eye on atmospheric conditions. A weather warning has been issued for the New York and New Jersey area regardin…

Folarin Balogun says Trump's World Cup red card intervention affected USA before Belgium defeat US striker Folarin Balogun has admitted the controversy surrounding the suspension of his World Cup ban affected the USA before their last-16 defeat to Belgium. The USA striker became the focus of one of the World Cup's bigg…

…answer questions from the BBC regarding the decision to overturn United States striker Folarin Balogun’s World Cup suspension. The controversy has continued to attract criticism after Balogun was allowed to play despite receiving a red card for serious foul play during the United States’ round-of-32 victory over Bosnia…

FIFA president Gianni Infantino to face ethics complaint over Trump involvement in Folarin Balogun red card controversy FIFA's president, Gianni Infantino, is being referred to Olympic ethics investigators for a possible breach of political neutrality after U.S. President Donald Trump's involvement in striker Folarin B…

…United States suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Belgium after a match overshadowed by the Folarin Balogun controversy. Tournament favourites France edged Paraguay 1-0 to reach the last eight, while Argentina produced a remarkable comeback from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2, with Messi once again proving decisive. Norwa…

…The build-up to the game in Seattle was overshadowed by controversy after forward Folarin Balogun was cleared to play despite being sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week. It emerged that the bombshell ruling followed a personal call by President Donald Trump to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino urging him to revi…

…bit suspect”, amid a furore over FIFA’s reversal of a red card given to US striker Folarin Balogun. Trump took a swipe at Brazilian referee Raphael Claus, who showed Balogun the red card, in the latest episode of a fraught relationship between Washington and Brasilia. “There is nothing in his record that discredits him…

When United States's Folarin Balogun was sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Round of 32 in the 2026 ongoing World Cup, almost everyone assumed he would automatically miss the Round of 16 against Belgium. Under normal circumstances, they were absolutely right. So what changed? While President Donald Trump on…

…Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp on Monday slammed FIFA’s decision to overturn US striker Folarin Balogun’s suspension, which reportedly took place after an intervention from US President Donald Trump. Balogun was set to miss Monday’s last-16 knockout clash with Belgium having picked up a red card in his previous match, bu…

…on Sunday and Norway stunned Brazil as a FIFA decision to reprieve United States star, Folarin Balogun, after an intervention from Donald Trump triggered uproar. A day of gripping drama on and off the field was crowned by an epic contest at Mexico City's Estadio Azteca as 10-man England dug deep to defeat Mexico 3-2 in…

The White House contacted FIFA President Gianni Infantino to request a review of Folarin Balogun’s red card during the FIFA World Cup, according to a person familiar with the matter. The report, first published by the Associated Press on Sunday, said the source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not auth…

Folarin Balogun scored and was sent off as the United States beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to reach the last 16 of the World Cup on Wednesday. The co-hosts' first World Cup knockout victory in nearly a quarter-century - and only their second ever - sets up a clash with Belgium in Seattle on Monday. Balogun's goal on…

Elsewhere, Morocco continued Africa's strong showing at the tournament with a victory over Scotland

…to an own goal in the 11th minute. Playing slightly wider than usual, star striker Folarin Balogun raced down the left and cut the ball back from the byline. Under pressure from a lurking Pepi, Aussie defender Cameron Burgess steered the ball into his own net. – Toothless Australia – Having surprisingly dropped both go…

…US have demonstrated they have potential to progress in the tournament, with Folarin Balogun and Christian Pulisic showing they are ready to become national heroes.With the NBA championship now done and dusted, is the USA about to fall in love with soccer? More performances like their thrashing of Paraguay will help.US…

…Dest's more advanced role on the other side - both of them hugging the touchline. Folarin Balogun stayed high up the pitch in a striker's position. Left-winger Christian Pulisic moved in-field from the wing and adopted a central position alongside midfielders Malik Tillman and Weston McKennie.For many coaches using a t…

…two goals for co-hosts the United States as they beat Paraguay in their opening game.But Folarin Balogun only represents the USA because of a quirk of his birth.And the irony is the nation's prized striker is the type of person President Donald Trump says should not be eligible for citizenship under his hardline immigr…

…Scorers RankPlayerNational TeamGoals Scored1Lionel MessiArgentina32Erling HaalandNorway2Folarin BalogunUnited States2Kylian MbappéFrance2Kai HavertzGermany2Yasin AyariSweden2Elijah JustNew Zealand2 Read the Latest on the 2026 World Cup and Get Fresh updates as they drop via X and Facebook.