Folarin Balogun

Folarin Balogun — US World Cup striker who scored twice against Paraguay and once against Bosnia before being sent off, later had red card suspended following Trump's appeal to FIFA.

2026-02-182026-10-21

News reports

Order a long-term news report on Folarin Balogun

Every mention in the Namibian press over the period you choose, compiled as a PDF or Word document.

What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

September 2026
18 SeptThe Namibian
Folarin Balogun received suspended ban following phone call from Donald Trump to Infantino
Source
“Hewitt has also called for the release of documents relating to the decision to suspend a ban handed to United States striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup, which followed a phone call from US President Donald Trump to Infantino.”
Uefa, Concacaf urge Fifa to make $2.1 billion payout
August 2026
4 AugThe Namibian
Folarin Balogun had suspension of his one-match ban after a phone call from Trump
Source
“One of the most controversial moments of the World Cup was the suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun's one-match ban, which had come after a phone call from Trump, freeing him to play in the last 16 against Belgium.”
Infantino, the Fifa president under pressure after scrapped investor plan
July 2026
7 JulThe Namibian
Folarin Balogun had received a red card in the victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina
Source
“Balogun, the US team's outstanding player at the World Cup, had been set to miss the last-16 game against Belgium in Seattle later Monday after receiving a red card in the victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in the previous round.”
Fifa chief forced to defend Balogun World Cup reprieve
2 JulThe Namibian
Folarin Balogun scored for the United States against Bosnia and Herzegovina
Source
“Folarin Balogun scored but was sent off as the United States beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to reach the last 16 of the World Cup on Wednesday.”
Balogun scores and sees red as US beat Bosnia 2-0
2 JulThe Namibian
Folarin Balogun was shown a straight red after VAR review for stamping on Tarik Muharemovic's foot
Source
“In the 64th minute, Balogun was shown a straight red after VAR review after he was harshly judged to have stamped on Muharemovic's foot.”
Balogun scores and sees red as US beat Bosnia 2-0
June 2026
13 JunThe Namibian
Folarin Balogun scored a brace in US's 4-1 victory over Paraguay
Source
“The US demolished Paraguay on an electric night in Los Angeles, with Folarin Balogun bagging a brace and Gio Reyna scoring a late stunner, plus an early own goal.”
Pochettino hails entire squad after World Cup opening win
13 JunThe Namibian
Folarin Balogun scored a brace in USA's 4-1 win over Paraguay
Source
“The United States could scarcely have scripted a better start to their World Cup as a Folarin Balogun brace and Gio Reyna curler fired the co-hosts to a 4-1 drubbing of Paraguay in front of Hollywood royalty in Los Angeles on Friday.”
USA beat Paraguay 4-1 in dream start for World Cup co-hosts
February 2026
18 FebThe Namibian
Folarin Balogun opened the scoring after 55 seconds and scored again on 18 minutes
Source
“United States star Folarin Balogun opened the scoring after just 55 seconds and found the net again on 18 minutes to put Monaco in control against their French Ligue 1 rivals at the Stade Louis II.”
Doue inspires PSG to comeback Champions League win in Monaco

Sport

UEFA and Concacaf demand FIFA release $2.1 billion

The News

European and North American/Caribbean football federations have called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to distribute $2.1 billion from FIFA's reserves to its 211 member associations, offering $10 million per association between 2027–2030. The demand comes amid a dispute over Infantino's failed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors, which UEFA said it would boycott if pursued.

18 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 18 September

UEFA and Concacaf demand FIFA release $2.1 billion
European and North American/Caribbean football federations have called on FIFA president Gianni Infantino to distribute $2.1 billion from FIFA's reserves to its 211 member associations, offering $10 million per association between 2027–2030. The demand comes amid a dispute over Infantino's failed plan to sell a stake in the World Cup to private investors, which UEFA said it would boycott if pursued.
18 September 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 4 August

Fifa president Infantino faces pressure after investor plan fails
Fifa president Gianni Infantino, who rode high after overseeing the successful 2026 World Cup expansion to 48 teams, now faces his position under threat following the collapse of a private investor plan.
4 August 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 22 July

CAF chief Motsepe defends FIFA president Infantino
African football boss Patrice Motsepe defended FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Wednesday, praising his commitment to football and support for Africa, despite growing criticism over Infantino's handling of issues including a suspension decision and tournament format changes.
22 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 19 July

World Cup ends with excitement despite pre-tournament challenges
Fifa declares the expanded 48-team World Cup across the United States, Mexico and Canada a triumph, marked by thrilling football and strong performances from smaller nations including Cape Verde, Curaçao, and Egypt, who reached knockout rounds in record numbers.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 7 July

Belgium defeats USA 4-1 in World Cup knockout stage
Belgium beat the United States 4-1 in a World Cup last-16 match at Seattle's Lumen Field, with Charles De Ketelaere scoring twice and Romelu Lukaku adding a goal. The result ended USA's hopes of reaching a first World Cup quarter-final in 24 years and set up a quarter-final between Belgium and Spain.
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →
FIFA suspends Balogun red card after Trump appeals to Infantino
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino defended the decision to suspend a red card issued to US World Cup star Folarin Balogun, allowing him to play against Belgium in a last-16 match. The reprieve followed US President Donald Trump's direct appeal to Infantino, who insisted FIFA's disciplinary process remained independent, while Belgium's appeal was dismissed as "inadmissible."
7 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 2 July

US beats Bosnia 2-0 in World Cup knockout despite red card
Folarin Balogun scored at half-time but was sent off after a clash with Bosnia's Tarik Muharemovic, with Malik Tillman later adding a free-kick goal as the United States reached the World Cup last 16 with a 2-0 victory.
2 July 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 26 June

Ecuador defeats Germany 2-1 to reach World Cup knockout rounds
Ecuador upset Germany 2-1 to qualify for the World Cup last 32, with Gonzalo Plata scoring the winning goal in the 77th minute. Ivory Coast beat Curacao 2-0 to finish second in Group E, eliminating the tournament's smallest country by population.
26 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 13 June

Pochettino credits team effort after US beats Paraguay 4-1
United States coach Mauricio Pochettino praised the collective performance following the US's 4-1 World Cup opening victory over Paraguay in Los Angeles, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice and Gio Reyna adding a late goal plus an own goal.
13 June 2026 · The Namibian →
USA defeats Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup opening game
The United States beat Paraguay 4-1 in the first World Cup game on US soil, with a Folarin Balogun brace and Gio Reyna goal leading the co-hosts to a dominant victory in Los Angeles. The win puts the US in a favorable position to progress from Group D alongside Australia and Turkey.
13 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Sunday 7 June

Germany beat US 2-1 in World Cup warmup match
Kai Havertz and Leroy Sane scored as Germany defeated the United States 2-1 in Chicago on Saturday in both teams' final World Cup warm-up game before the tournament began. Despite the loss, the US mounted a promising performance with chances to equalize, including a notable strike by Antonee Robinson from outside the box.
7 June 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 18 February

PSG stages dramatic comeback to beat Monaco in Champions League
Paris Saint-Germain came from two goals down to defeat Monaco 3-2 in the first leg of their Champions League knockout playoff, with Desire Doue scoring twice after replacing injured Ousmane Dembele to spark the turnaround that leaves PSG strong favourites heading into next week's return leg in Paris.
18 February 2026 · The Namibian →