Folarin Balogun Set To Make Senior International Debut For USA In CONCACAF Nations League Finals
Folarin Balogun is expected to make his senior international debut for the USA next month at the 2023 CONCACAF Nations League Finals.
The 21-year-old Arsenal striker, who has been on loan at French club Reims this season, committed his international future to the USMNT this week, despite having also been eligible to represent England or Nigeria.
Balogun was born in New York but moved to London aged two, while his parents are both Nigerian by birth.
Folarin Balogun has scored 19 goals in 34 Ligue 1 matches for Reims this season
IMAGO/PanoramiC/Federico Pestellini
He played predominantly for England during his youth career, scoring seven goals in 13 games at U21 level for the Young Lions.
But he also represented the USA at U18 level in 2018.
Balogun will now get the chance to play for the USA's first team on June 15 when Anthony Hudson's side take on Mexico in Las Vegas.
If the USMNT win that game, Balogun will get the chance to earn his first international trophy three days later against either Panama or Canada.
Announcing his decision to commit to the USA, Balogun wrote on Instagram: "LET'S MAKE HISTORY!"
Balogun told USSoccer.com: "My decision to represent the United States came together with my family.
"In the end it became a no-brainer, but for sure it's just something I wanted to do and it feels like I'm at home here.
"To represent the United States means a lot, more than people would know. I'm very proud and honored to have this opportunity, and I want to give everything I have to make our team successful."
