Meet Folarin Balogun, the accidental American leading USA’s World Cup charge
There is little evidence about Folarin Balogun’s political beliefs and we should resist the urge to assign some. But there is a delicious irony in his emergence as the hero of USA’s opening World Cup 2026 games. At a time when Donald Trump’s administration is actively using the tournament to flaunt its strong-arm approach to border control, flexing against fans, players, staff and even celebrated Somali referees, a Londoner of Nigerian heritage seems like the poster boy for a very different story of America.
Balogun’s parents were living in London when they took a holiday to New York in the summer of 2001. The trip proved fateful: airline attendants refused to allow his mother on the flight home after they noticed she was seven months pregnant. They were forced to stay in New York and Folarin Jerry Balogun was born in Brooklyn on 3 July.
Baby Balogun was automatically granted US citizenship under the country’s birthright citizenship laws, based on the 14th amendment to the US Constitution, laws that the Trump administration is attempting to rewrite. Had Balogun’s birth fallen under the president’s new proposals, the US would not have had their star striker at their disposal.
Lawrence Ostlere20 June 2026 07:00
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If you’ve ever wondered who really owns and controls football, now’s your chance to find out.
Miguel Delaney, The Independent’s chief football writer, takes readers inside the game in the latest paperback edition of States of Play: How Sportswashing Took Over Football, released in August 2025.
To celebrate the World Cup, The Independent is giving away 10 copies of the paperback edition.
Miguel’s weekly newsletter includes:
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Will Castle20 June 2026 06:00
US join Mexico in the knockouts
Will Castle20 June 2026 05:00
Turkey vs Paraguay kicking off
It’s the wee hours of the morning for UK viewers, but in the United States fans will be watching intently as Turkey face Paraguay, which kicks off right about now.
If Turkey fail to win, the US will go through to the knockouts as group leaders.
Will Castle20 June 2026 04:00
“Every game is different,” Australia boss Tony Popovich said. “We had a lot of fatigued bodies in the first half both physically and mentally.
“The second half was outstanding and we have to build on that.
“I wouldn’t say today was the best day for the referees, but overall we weren’t good enough in the first half.
“You’ve go to hand it to them [the USA], they are very strong.”
Will Castle20 June 2026 03:00
Pochettino hails first-half display
“I think it was a fantastic game again, very good first half,” Mauricio Pochettino said.
“I think we dominated the game against a very tough team. When the draw happened in December I thought it was really difficult, a really tough game.”
Will Castle20 June 2026 02:00
Australia boss blasts performance
“I don’t know if it was the occasion but we looked sluggish and heavy-legged,” Tony Popovich said. “They were quicker and more powerful.
“They won every duel and every second ball. When they do that it makes it difficult to gain any momentum.
“We conceded two soft goals but I thought the reaction second half was outstanding.
“[Against] the noise here, the host nation, the players showed how good they were in the second half but you can’t give away that much in the first half at this level.”
Will Castle20 June 2026 01:00
USA v Australia referee Felix Zwayer pulls up with cramp towards end of World Cup match
Experienced World Cup referee Felix Zwayer pulled up with cramp towards the end of the USA’s win over Australia in Seattle.
The German official, 45, required help from both the USA’s Folarin Balogun and Australia’s Aiden O’Neill, who stretched out his left leg after Zwayer fell to the turf.
Zwayer had just brandished a flurry of yellow cards at the end of what was a dominant victory for the USA at Lumen Field.
Will Castle20 June 2026 00:00
“Always difficult because we want to have all the players fit,” Mauricio Pochettino said on the absence of Christian Pulisic.
“He’s an important player for us but that is a team. It was impossible for him today to play. We hope that next game he will be available but if we want to win the competition we need the whole team.
“All of the players need to be important but of course Christian is one of the best players in the world and I hope that he can recover as soon as possible and can show it on the pitch and help the team.”
(Reuters)
Will Castle19 June 2026 23:45
USA’s route at World Cup as group runners-up
If Turkey beat USA to Group D, which they can do by winning their remaining two fixtures, the USA would play the runner-up of Group G in the last-32. Group G contains Belgium, Iran, New Zealand and Egypt. As runners-up, the USA’s last-32 match would take place at Dallas Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Friday 3 July.
Should the USA progress to the last-16 as runners-up, they would then face either the winner of Group J or the runner-up of Group H. Group J contains Argentina, Austria, Jordan and Algeria; Group H contains Spain, Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde. It would be played in at the Mercedes Benz Stadium, Atlanta on Wednesday 7 July.
Will Castle19 June 2026 23:30