US Men's National Team Star on Fire
As the world waits with bated breath for the latest developments in the LeBron James free agency saga, the NBA legend has been keeping a close eye on the 2026 FIFA World Cup, particularly United States men's national team star Folarin Balogun.
Balogun's impressive performance against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium caught James' attention, as the 24-year-old striker scored the United States' opening goal and celebrated with James' signature 'The Silencer' move.
The tribute did not go unnoticed, as James responded to FOX Sports' tweet of Balogun's goal, congratulating the 'young king'.
While James' NBA future remains uncertain after announcing his decision to leave the Los Angeles Lakers and test free agency for the first time since 2018, Balogun is making waves at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, now with three goals in four matches for the US men's national team.
Balogun, born in Brooklyn but raised in London, has been on a tear, scoring a brace in the United States' opener against Paraguay and finding the back of the net in its round of 32 match on Wednesday, joining an elite group of American players who have scored three goals at the World Cup, including Landon Donovan, Bert Patenaude, Clint Dempsey, and Brian McBride.
With one more goal, Balogun will tie Bert Patenaude (1930) for the most goals scored by an American in a single World Cup, a feat that would further cement his place in US men's national team history.
