Folarin Balogun knows the United States men’s national team exited the 2026 World Cup earlier than it wanted.
But the star striker is not giving up hope. In fact, he’s of the belief that the USMNT will be back and better than ever in four years.
Balogun, who emerged as one of the bright spots and became the center of a World Cup red card controversy, took to X on Tuesday night to express his feelings about his team’s exit from the tournament.
“My debut World Cup… it hurts to wait 4 years to compete at the highest level our sport has to offer,” he wrote one day after the U.S. lost 4-1 to Belgium in the Round of 16. “I want to say sorry to our fans it was not good enough when it mattered most and we let you down Soccer in America will only become bigger the belief, the talent, and the passion is continually growing and I know the best days are in front of us, the future belongs to those who never stop believing, this moment will fuel us.
“Why not us? For the nation. For the flag.”
Balogun, born to Nigerian parents in Brooklyn during a family trip to New York, grew up in London and originally competed internationally for England until he made the switch to the U.S. in 2023.
The 25-year-old’s World Cup debut could not have started any better with two goals against Paraguay before adding what proved to be the game-winner in a Round of 32 win against Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Nevertheless, early in the second half against Bosnia, he accidentally stepped on the ankle of Tarik Muharemovic. Video assistant review (VAR) then ruled that what he did constituted a red card, meaning he was out of the game and the next. That is, until FIFA, one day before the Americans’ Round of 16 game against Belgium, decided to reverse course.
President Donald Trump revealed he called FIFA president Gianni Infantino, who later confirmed the call but said it did not factor in the decision to reinstate Balogun.
Whether the red card brouhaha inspired Belgium or not, it came out firing on Monday and never looked back in a 4-1 win, which included the team even trolling Trump with his signature dance on the final goal in the waning seconds.
Belgium coach Rudi Garcia said after his team’s win that he appreciated having a chat with Balogun — held off the scoresheet in the loss — after the final whistle.
“It is not his fault. He is not the one to blame — and that’s what I told him,” the coach said. “I really appreciate the intention that he came to see me. I appreciate this player.”
