why does balogun play for usa

Folarin Balogun plays for the USA because he was eligible for the United States by birth, and he chose to switch his international allegiance after also being eligible for England and Nigeria. Reports say he was born in Brooklyn, grew up in London, and later said representing the U.S. felt like a “no-brainer” and that he felt at home with the team.

Why he picked the US

• He was born in New York, which made him eligible for the United States.

• He also had a strong personal connection to England, where he grew up, and Nigeria through his parents.

• In 2023, he formally committed to the USMNT after FIFA approved the switch.

The personal angle

Balogun has said the decision meant a lot to him and that he wanted to give everything he had to help the U.S. succeed. His mother has also described his U.S. birth as meaningful, saying she believed it happened for a reason.

In plain English

He doesn’t play for the USA because he grew up there; he plays for the USA because he was born there and chose that national team over England and Nigeria.