Former USA striker Eric Wynalda has explained why in-form Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun should snub England to return to the USMNT ahead of the 2026 World Cup
Folarin Balogun continues to receive advice about his international future (Image: Sylvain Lefevre/Getty Images)
It’s an exciting time if you are Arsenal loanee Folarin Balogun, who is enjoying a strong season in France with Stade Reims. The 21-year-old is the joint Ligue 1 top scorer alongside Kylian Mbappe and Jonathan David with 15 goals, which has seen him attract plenty of interest ahead of the summer transfer window.
A host of clubs including AC Milan, Marseille and Villarreal are reportedly monitoring Balogun, casting some doubt over his Arsenal future. The Hale End graduate’s return to north London has certainly become an intriguing prospect as a result of his impressive form, but it remains to be seen whether or not he would be willing to compete against Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah for a starting spot under Mikel Arteta.
Nevertheless, it’s set to be a busy few months for Balogun as considers his options at both club and international level. The New York City-born striker is currently representing England at Under-21 level but is yet to receive a call up to the Three Lions’ senior team, meaning the U.S. Soccer Federation still has a chance to recruit him. Balogun has previously played for the U.S. Under-18s and is also eligible for Nigeria through family roots.
Speaking to L’Equipe in October last year, Balogun said that he would consider all three countries when making a decision over his international career, but did emphasise his love for visiting family in America. Although he is remaining coy for now, U.S. fans are doing everything they can to convince Balogun to choose the USMNT over anyone else. Several comments under his latest posts on Twitter include emojis of the United States flag, as well as pleas for him to make the switch back to his home country ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
Those messages are now being relayed by former USA international Eric Wynalda, who has given Balogun three different reasons to snub England in favour of a return to the Stars and Stripes. In 2000, Wynalda retired from the United States national team as its all-time leading goalscorer and believes Balogun is the answer to their current issues in attack.
“If we get Folarin Balogun we solve a lot of problems,” he told The Action Network’s Wondergoal Podcast. “I’m impressed with everything about him. The power that he has, the timing of his runs.” Wynalda then explained how the USMNT can turn Balogun’s head by offering a star role at the World Cup and beyond, in addition to getting him partnered up with big sponsors to ensure he is in the limelight.
“If you look at the circumstances that he’s in and the team he’s playing for, they’re mid-table and he’s playing for a manager that’s 30 years old and the club have to pay a $25,000 (£20,000) fine because he doesn’t have a licence to coach at that level. We have to appeal to his ego which is the reality of this. We should let him know that he will be a star. An absolute star at a World Cup, in his own country as he was born in New York.”
Wynalda continued: “We need to lock him in with some sponsors too. He will be a star with us. He won’t necessarily be a star with England. It will come down to how important it is for him to be in the spotlight. That’s the only chance we’ve got to get him. Everything from the Mastercards, the Budweisers, the Coca-Cola’s, the big ones that will be sponsors of this World Cup. They have to figure out how to fit him into the budget.”
Source: football.london
