Arsenal fans forgot about him, but the World Cup won’t

Folarin Balogun has been one of the best strikers in Europe since the turn of the calendar year. For whatever reason, he has really found his footing in Ligue 1. Where it didn't quite work out for him at Arsenal, he benefits massively from tearing up the French top division.

Balogun has scored 11 goals for Monaco since the beginning of 2026, and nobody is denying that he will make the USMNT squad for this year's World Cup. Mauricio Pochettino, who Arsenal fans know a little too well, calls the shots for the United States, and he would be a fool not to build his team around Balogun. He is the USMNT's best player heading into the World Cup, after all.

Folarin Balogun vs Viktor Gyökeres in 2026

Thankfully, Arsenal fans don't lament the sale of Folarin Balogun too much. This is partly because he never truly shone for Arsenal, but mainly because their own signing, Viktor Gyökeres is also in inspired form to start the calendar year.

No matter which way you look at it, Gyökeres is an upgrade over Balogun. In fact, the two are incomparable, since Balogun couldn't make the team, whereas Gyökeres was signed to be the starter.

Nevertheless, it's always nice to see a Hale End graduate do good things, and there'll be no better time for Folarin Balogun to showcase his talents than this summer.

The stage is set for Folarin Balogun at the World Cup

Folarin Balogun was born in Brooklyn, New York. Despite moving to London when he was one month old and growing up in England, he chose to represent the United States at international level, and there's about to be a huge spotlight on him.

The World Cup is hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer. There are, obviously, question marks over how the World Cup preparation has been handled, but football always prevails. The organisation of it all has been a calamity to say the least, but it won't take any eyes off the beautiful game.

Folarin Balogun will certainly be the number 9 to carry the USMNT forward. He will be joined by other players that Arsenal fans know well, such as former Chelsea attacker Christian Pulisic and current Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards.

Where Balogun will start, another former Arsenal player probably won't. Matt Turner will represent his home country, but he will be the second option unlike in the last World Cup.

Click here to read article