Story perspectives

Triple-eligible Balogun scores twice as US beats Paraguay 4-1

6/20/2026

Summary

Balogun Leads Win

United States beat Paraguay 4-1 on June 12, with Balogun scoring two goals.
Balogun was born in Brooklyn on July 3, 2001, giving him U.S. citizenship and, with U.K. and Nigerian citizenship, makes him eligible for three national teams.
He moved to Monaco in August 2023 for €30 million, rising to €40 million after scoring 21 goals for Reims in 2022-23.
He has 11 goals in 28 USMNT caps and is a fixture in the attack.

Summary

Balogun Scores Brace

Balogun became the first U.S. player since 1930 to record a World Cup brace.
After an intensive pre-season program led by skills coach Saul Isaksson-Hurst improved his finishing, Balogun says a strong World Cup could reshape his career with his Monaco contract running to 2028.
Balogun avoids political commentary, stressing football can unite fans, while his citizenship under the 14th Amendment faces revision attempts by U.S. President Donald Trump's administration.

History

Historical Context

In 1930 the United States reached the World Cup semifinals and Bert Patenaude scored the tournament’s first recognized hat-trick, giving the team a third-place finish—the best ever for a CONCACAF side. After decades of sporadic success and hosting the 1994 tournament, the U.S. co-hosts the 2026 World Cup, and forward Folarin Balogun’s two goals against Paraguay mark first American multi-goal World Cup performance in 96 years.

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Balogun Leads Win

United States beat Paraguay 4-1 on June 12, with Balogun scoring two goals.
Balogun was born in Brooklyn on July 3, 2001, giving him U.S. citizenship and, with U.K. and Nigerian citizenship, makes him eligible for three national teams.
He moved to Monaco in August 2023 for €30 million, rising to €40 million after scoring 21 goals for Reims in 2022-23.
He has 11 goals in 28 USMNT caps and is a fixture in the attack.

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