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Folarin Balogun's emergence as a breakout star of the U.S.'s 2026 World Cup campaign has collided with the national debate over birthright citizenship after President Donald Trump's bid to restrict the constitutional right suffered a major legal setback.
Balogun, who scored in the United States' 2-0 Round of 32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday, was born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents visiting from England, where he was raised. His U.S. citizenship—acquired by virtue of his birth on American soil—has drawn renewed attention after the Supreme Court blocked Trump's effort to end automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. if neither parent is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident.
Had the policy been in effect at the time of Balogun's birth, it would have barred the striker from automatic citizenship. Advocates for birthright citizenship celebrated the ruling, arguing that Balogun's World Cup success illustrates its positive impact.
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How the Knockout Game Unfolded
Balogun's strike gave the United States a 1-0 lead after he latched on to a deflected pass and slotted the ball past the Bosnia goalkeeper. It was his second attempt at the celebration, having seen an earlier goal ruled out as he was offside before finally finding the net moments later.
NBA superstar LeBron James was one of many who celebrated the goal, posting on X on Wednesday night, "Helluva goal there."
James' post quickly spread across social media as fans reacted to the tribute to one of the country's newest sports stars. As of 10:02 p.m. ET, James' post had 2.2 million views.
However, the celebration was later overshadowed by a dramatic twist in the second half, when Balogun received a red card following a review for a challenge on a Bosnia player. Because Balogun received a straight red card, he will have to sit out the next game.
Brendan Carr, the chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, criticized the red card decision as "total bunk."
Former NFL star Jason Kelce wrote on X: "Man, somebody help me. That foul looked incidental from Balogun, shouldn't a Red Card be given if there is either intention to foul, or an action that is aggressive and unsafe in nature? Didn't feel like Balogun was out of control or anything, just looked like it kind of happened."
Josh Hart, who plays for the New York Knicks, the 2026 NBA champions, said, "Bro that's a red card?!"
The dismissal forced the U.S. to play the closing stages of the game with 10 men. Despite the setback, the Americans held on for a 2-0 victory to advance to the Round of 16, where they are set to face Belgium on Monday in Seattle.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna of California wrote on X: "Huge USA win in Santa Clara tonight!! Loved Balogun's goal and his Lebron James Silencer move."
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How Dual Citizens Are Fueling the US National Team
Balogun's World Cup performance has drawn renewed attention to the role immigration and birthright citizenship have played in shaping the U.S. men's national team.
More than half of the U.S. squad holds dual citizenship. The roster features players born abroad to American parents, the children of immigrants born in the U.S. and other dual nationals who opted to represent the United States over other eligible countries.
The debate surrounding U.S. citizenship has shifted in recent days after the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution guarantees citizenship to virtually everyone born on U.S. soil, striking down an executive order Trump had signed on his first day back in office.
While the decision largely closed the door on ending birthright citizenship through executive action, Trump could still pursue the policy through a constitutional amendment, new legislation or future legal challenges—though each path faces significant political and legal obstacles.
What Did the Supreme Court Rule on Birthright Citizenship?
Trump's executive order, signed on January 20, would have applied to children born to undocumented immigrants as well as many people, such as students and tourists, in the U.S. on temporary visas.
On Tuesday, however, the Supreme Court struck down the order in a 6-3 decision, reaffirming that the 14th Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship to virtually everyone born in the United States. Chief Justice John Roberts, writing for the majority, said the court's long-standing precedent established that the Citizenship Clause "granted citizenship to nearly all children born in the United States," citing the landmark 1898 case United States v. Wong Kim Ark.
The ruling marked a significant setback for one of Trump's signature immigration policies. In response to the ruling, the president wrote on Truth Social: "The Supreme Court upheld Birthright Citizenship, which is too bad for our Country, but we can easily make it up in Congress through Legislation, with the support of the President, that has now been determined during this process. No long and unwieldy Constitutional Amendment is necessary! Congress should start TODAY to work on ending expensive and unfair to our Country, Birthright Citizenship. They will have my Complete and Total Support!"
Trump and other critics argue that birthright citizenship fuels "birth tourism," allowing children born to foreign nationals in the U.S. to automatically gain citizenship.
Legal experts have said Tuesday's ruling shows that changing birthright citizenship would require a constitutional amendment, rather than presidential action.
How Balogun Became a US International
When the Brooklyn-born Balogun was 1 month old, his parents returned to England with him in tow. He then came up through Arsenal's academy and went on to represent England at multiple youth levels. In 2023, Balogun—who was eligible to play for the United States, England and Nigeria—announced that he would represent the U.S. after FIFA approved his one-time switch of national association.
He said at the time: "My decision to represent the United States, it came together with my family. We decided it would be the right thing for me, to represent the country I was born in."
Birthright Citizenship Advocates Celebrate Balogun's Goal
Balogun, who scored twice in the U.S.'s group stage opener against Paraguay, quickly became part of the wider political debate over birthright citizenship. During Wednesday's match, several prominent commentators pointed to his background as they celebrated the U.S. victory.
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, wrote that Balogun "was only born here because his mother's airline wouldn't fly her home to London at 7 months pregnant. She was on a *tourist visa*.** Because her son is a U.S. citizen by birth, we're winning."
Journalist Aaron Rupar also highlighted the connection, writing on X: "Folarin Balogun, who is a U.S. citizen because he was born here, scores a go-ahead goal for the U.S. team in a knockout game. Score one for birthright citizenship."
Democratic commentator Harry Sisson wrote on the platform, "The USA won because of birthright citizenship."
The X account @AmplifyVeracity, which has been critical of the president, wrote: "Folarin Balogun is a U.S. citizen because his mother was too pregnant to get on a plane; the exact person MAGA wants to exclude from entering the USA.
"You can't oppose birthright citizenship and cheer the USMNT."
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Gray R. Thomas and Shakeema Edwards.
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