Folarin Balogun, the 24-year-old star striker for the US men's national soccer team (USMNT) at the 2026 World Cup, has brought the contentious issue of birthright citizenship to the forefront of national discussion. Born in Brooklyn in 2001 to Nigerian parents who were on a temporary visit, Balogun automatically gained US citizenship under the 14th Amendment. This "quirk of his birth," as described by BBC Sport, allowed him to represent the United States despite growing up primarily in London and having the option to play for England or Nigeria.
Former President Donald Trump's proposed executive order aims to deny citizenship to children born in the US to undocumented immigrants or those on temporary visas. This policy would directly impact individuals like Balogun, whose mother was heavily pregnant and denied boarding her return flight to London, leading to his birth in New York. While the Trump administration has stated it wouldn't retroactively revoke citizenship, the core argument of their proposal suggests that such individuals are not truly citizens, creating uncertainty for many.
The US Supreme Court is expected to rule on this executive order within weeks. Legal experts, including Ilya Somin of George Mason University, believe the conservative-majority court might not rule in Trump's favor due to skepticism shown during oral arguments. A Reuters poll in April indicated that a majority of Americans support birthright citizenship, though there's a significant partisan divide, with 62% of Republicans agreeing with ending it compared to 9% of Democrats.
Balogun's journey to the USMNT involved a significant recruitment effort, including an invite to watch the New York Yankees and overtures from senior US internationals. His prolific performance while on loan at Reims in 2022-23, which led to a $35 million move to Monaco, drew the attention of US officials. He has already scored two goals for the US in the World Cup, including against Paraguay, showcasing the impact of birthright citizenship on the national stage.
