Folarin Balogun scored twice in the first half as hosts United States opened their 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign with a commanding win over Paraguay in Los Angeles.
The United States Men National Team forward, wearing the No.20 red-white-and-blue Nike home kit, put the Americans 2-0 up before the break at SoFi Stadium, with the USA going on to win 4-1 in Group D.
Broadcast clips from FOX Sports and ESPN showed Balogun firing home with his right foot in pink Mercurials, cupping his ears to the crowd, and pointing to the sky in celebration.
It was billed as his first career World Cup goal, and his first brace for the Stars and Stripes on the biggest stage.
From Brooklyn, London, to Team USA. Balogun’s story is one fans in Nigeria know well.
Born in New York City to Yoruba-Nigerian parents, he moved to London at one month old, came through Arsenal’s academy, and played senior football in France with Stade de Reims and AS Monaco.
Eligible for Nigeria, England and the United States, he committed to the USMNT in 2023. US Soccer officially introduced him ahead of the home World Cup as a New York City root representing the United States.
That dual-heritage journey is a big part of why his World Cup breakout is trending across the diaspora, with fans calling him “Son of an immigrant” and “Omo Naija” in celebration posts.
Why Balogun matters for the USMNT
The US has struggled for a true No.9 at past World Cups. Analysts heading into the Paraguay game framed Balogun as the man to fix that scoring drought, pointing to his strong club form in Ligue 1.
A pre-tournament form ranking by GOAL USA listed him as the USMNT’s most in-form attacker, crediting him with 17 goals and 5 assists across club and country.
Against Paraguay, he delivered. Social posts from Bleacher Report, ESPN FC, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports all led with “BRACE FOR BALOGUN”, noting he matched the entire US goal tally from the 2022 group stage in one half.
What’s next
The USA opened Group D in Los Angeles on June 12, with Balogun’s double setting the tone for the co-hosts’ campaign.
USMNT fans are already calling it the start of something special, with comments flooding in: “Balogun is unplayable”, “USA is cooking”, and “the LeBron James of Soccer”.
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