US National Reveals Accidental Path to Citizenship

At a time when US President Donald Trump is restricting entry for many foreigners, US national team star Folarin Balogun, who scored two goals in the opening 4-1 victory against Paraguay, has become a symbol of opposition to this policy. He recently shared his unique path to becoming an American citizen. "My mother came to the US to visit her sister. She had a return ticket, but was told she was too far along in her pregnancy, and so I was born in New York," the 24-year-old Monaco forward revealed in an Instagram video.

At that time, any child born on US soil automatically became an American citizen. Balogun grew up in London and played for England's U21 team before choosing the US over England and Nigeria, his family's country of origin. "I could play for America, and I decided I wouldn't stand in the way of that story," Balogun stated with his distinctive London accent. However, his path is unlikely to be replicated, as Donald Trump is pushing to amend the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, which grants birthright citizenship. He seeks to limit citizenship only to children with at least one parent who is an American citizen or a permanent resident in the country.

According to experts, Folarin Balogun's case remains atypical, yet it highlights the dynamic interplay of migration policy in sports. More than a quarter of World Cup footballers were born in a different country than the one they represent, explains Marisa Kiss from George Mason University's Institute for Immigration. "Both at the Olympic Games and the World Cup, countries are in fierce competition to attract talent, and immigration policy serves as a strategic weapon. Countries that facilitate access to citizenship have an advantage in attracting talent," she states.

Diasporas are playing an increasingly vital role in player selection, adds Gijsbert Oonk, a professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam and a specialist in the links between migration and sport. "France has become the world's leading exporter of footballing talent. During the 2026 World Cup, nearly 100 players were born in France. Yet, only a small fraction of them represent the national team," he writes, primarily referring to players who have chosen to play for Algeria, Morocco, Senegal, Mali, or Haiti. This tournament also features four pairs of brothers playing for different national teams. Such is the case of Désiré Doué, who plays for France, while his older brother Guela defends the colors of Ivory Coast.

In the American squad, half of the 26 players hold dual nationality. This includes Tim Weah, son of the legendary George Weah, the only African to win the Ballon d'Or and later become President of Liberia. Tim Weah chose to play for the US team, despite also being eligible to represent Liberia, Jamaica, or France. The US Supreme Court is expected to rule by late June or early July on birthright citizenship, a decision that will coincide with the crucial phase of the World Cup.