Folarin Balogun, the Nigerian-American striker, delivered a stellar performance for the United States on Saturday, scoring twice in a commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their Group A match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The 25-year-old forward, who was born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, opened the scoring in the 31st minute and added a second just before the halftime whistle. His brace marked a historic achievement: Balogun became the first US player in 96 years to net multiple goals in a single World Cup game.
Balogun spent most of his childhood in England after his family moved there, which made him eligible to represent the United States, England, or Nigeria at the international level. His decision to play for the US has now paid off handsomely.
After the match, an emotional Balogun described the night as a dream come true. “It’s a dreamy night, to be honest,” he told reporters. “I haven’t fully processed it yet. I’m sure when I get back to my hotel and rest, I’ll really be able to soak in what an amazing evening this was.”
The United States will look to build on this impressive start as they continue their World Cup campaign.