Folarin Balogun became American citizen by accident after parents were denied New York flight

Published
June 19, 2026
Location
Brooklyn, New York
Incident type
Robbery

Summary

Robbery Brooklyn New York in Brooklyn, New York: Folarin Balogun was born in Brooklyn, New York while his mother was seven months pregnant and unable to board a flight back to England due to safety concerns. The birth made him automatically eligible for U.S. citizenship, allowing him to play for the United States national team despite having represented England at youth levels. He later chose to represent the U.S., announcing his decision on Instagram and citing fan support as a key factor. This circumstance enabled him to score twice in a 4‑1 win over Paraguay during the 2026 World Cup.

Original reporting

Folarin Balogun became American citizen by accident after parents were denied New York flight

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