Folarin Balogun releases emotional first statement after World Cup exit with vow to US Soccer

Folarin Balogun has spoken out for the first time since the United States Men’s National Team’s exit from the 2026 World Cup.

The USMNT’s campaign as co-hosts of the World Cup came to an end with a 4-1 defeat to Belgium in the Round of 16.

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Balogun was named in the starting line-up, despite having been shown a straight red card in the USA’s Round of 32 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina after VAR recommended an on-field review of a late challenge on defender Tarik Muharemovic.

This was because of a intervention from President Donald Trump, who contacted FIFA about the one-game suspension Balogun was set to receive, with his punishment suspended for one year in what has been one of the most controversial moments of the tournament.

In fact, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has even received calls to resign from his role over the whole saga .

Balogun himself was also subject to a $40,000 fine, of which half was payable by the U.S. Soccer Federation.

The Belgium Football Association appealed the decision, but ultimately lost.

But even though he was on the field for the clash against the Red Devils, Balogun was virtually a non-factor in the USA’s pursuit of reaching the quarter-finals, and was given a 5/10 rating by talkSPORT’s USMNT correspondent Ben Jacobs for his performance.

Balogun releases first statement after Trump controversy and World Cup exit

Now that the dust has settled on a hugely disappointing end to what had, up until that point, been a strong campaign by the Stars and Stripes, Balogun took to social media to release a statement.

“My debut World Cup… it hurts to wait 4 years to compete at the highest level our sport has to offer. I want to say sorry to our fans it was not good enough when it mattered most and we let you down,” he wrote on X.

“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. We will be back

“Why not us?

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“For the nation. For the flag. B.”

The 25-year-old finished as the USMNT’s top scorer, netting three times and providing an assist.

Balogun tipped for summer transfer

The reality is, Balogun and the rest of the USMNT now have to wait four years until 2030 to right their wrongs, and do their best to repay the fans who invested in the team in their masses that they feel they owe.

Until then, the former Arsenal academy graduate has his club career to think about, with the AS Monaco forward expected to attract a big-money move away from the Ligue 1 outfit as early as this summer.

Recent reports have Balogun linked to a move to the Premier League, with Crystal Palace named as a potential destination after a 2025-26 campaign in which he recorded 19 goals and five assists in 43 appearances in all competitions.

“Folarin Balogun would be the perfect signing for Crystal Palace,” Andy Brassell told talkSPORT back in June.

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“The Conference League holders will, of course, be going into the Europa League next season, the competition that they should have been in in the first place, going back to the start of last season.

“But you feel that Palace are set to be able to do something, especially with their new coach, Pierre Sage, in that competition. …

“He is a US international, but he was brought up in London; he knows it really well, having come through at Arsenal. And I think when you’re making the leap from Ligue 1 to the Premier League, that’s something that’s very doable.

“It’s one of the most physical leagues, and for that reason, we see a lot of players coming over from Ligue 1 and settling in quickly.”

The huge summer looks set to continue for the star striker.

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