As the 2026 World Cup approaches, Folarin Balogun has positioned himself as the United States Men’s National Team’s (USMNT) top striker. With five friendlies remaining before head coach Mauricio Pochettino finalizes the roster, Balogun’s fitness, form, and scoring prowess have made him the front-runner for the starting role.

After struggling with injuries and limited appearances over the past year, Balogun has bounced back to showcase his value. He scored in the USMNT’s recent 1-1 draw against Ecuador in Austin, Texas, including the equalizer, and had previously netted in a 2-0 win over Japan. Overall, he has seven goals in 20 appearances since committing to the U.S. program over England in 2023.

Pochettino praised Balogun’s goal-scoring ability, noting that in a national team that has lacked consistent finishers, Balogun stands out. Teammates, including midfielder Cristian Roldan, highlight Balogun’s versatility—his ability to run behind defenses, play with his back to goal, and link up with teammates makes him a complete attacking threat.

At club level, Balogun plays for Monaco in France’s Ligue 1. He has scored once in five league appearances this season and also featured in Champions League matches against Club Brugge and Manchester City. To solidify his World Cup starting spot, Balogun will need to continue performing and earning regular minutes at Monaco.

The USMNT will next face Australia in Denver, with Pochettino considering lineup rotations to evaluate other forwards, such as Haji Wright, Patrick Agyemang, and Ricardo Pepi, who could rejoin the squad if healthy. Christian Pulisic, a key USMNT attacker, is recovering from an ankle injury but is expected to play.

Born in New York and raised in London, Balogun views the World Cup as a unique and grounding experience. “It’s just a spectacle… a chance that makes you feel grounded,” he said, expressing excitement for competing on home soil.

With Balogun fit and in form, the USMNT appears to have finally found a consistent striker leading into the World Cup, a role that has been unsettled since Jozy Altidore’s tenure.