World Cup 2026: Folarin Balogun, the US star who would not be allowed under Trump's plan

Balogun scores stunner for USA against Paraguay He announced himself at the World Cup with 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 immigration agenda. As Balogun prepares for their second group game against Australia in Seattle on Friday (20:00 BST), it comes against a backdrop of a World Cup already fraught with immigration and visa controversies. The US Supreme Court is due to rule on the president's executive order - and the fundamental meaning of citizenship - within weeks. Balogun, 24, is a product of Arsenal's youth academy and could have pledged his allegiance to England or Nigeria. However, long before that, circumstances conspired to give him the opportunity to represent the US. Balogun's Nigerian parents were living in London when they took a trip to New York in the summer of 2001. The trip proved fateful. Balogun's mum was not allowed on the flight home when airline attendants realised she was heavil