U.S. World Cup Fans Taunt Trump Over Folarin Balogun's Birthright Citizenship
President Donald Trump and his MAGA loyalists got kicked where it hurts by fans noting that U.S. World Cup hero Folarin Balogun is a birthright citizen.
Balogun scored the first goal in a 2-0 round-of-32 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina on Wednesday and is the squad’s leading scorer in the tournament. He’ll miss Monday’s round-of-16 clash against Belgium due to a questionable red card call on him. But his impact is being felt ― and fans took it upon themselves to remind the president and his anti-birthright allies of that.
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The timing of Balogun’s feats couldn’t be better. The Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship this week. Trump responded by calling the policy “unfair” and vowing to end it through legislation.
Some fans on X asked Trump, who received a bogus peace prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino, to intercede on behalf of Balogun’s red card suspension. But so far in the tournament, Trump has been silent on all matters Balogun, including his birthright status.
“Isn’t it crazy that Trump doesn’t want Americans like Folarin Balogun in America?” one commenter wrote on X. “Thank goodness SCOTUS upheld birthright citizenship.”
“Folarin Balogun wouldn’t even be playing for USA if it was up to Trump and his birthright citizenship views smh lol. Let’s go!!” another chimed in.
Balogun told NBC he was born in Brooklyn, New York, to his Nigerian parents because his mother, who was in the late stages of pregnancy, was prevented from boarding a flight back to England.
“To represent the United States means a lot,” he said previously. “I just hope I can bring that prestige and winning mentality over into soccer.”
The White House did not immediately return a HuffPost request for comment on Balogun’s birthright citizenship.
Check out the aforementioned social media remarks and others right here:
Isn't it crazy that Trump doesn't want Americans like Folarin Balogun in America?
— Matt (@nosoupforgeorge) July 2, 2026
Thank goodness SCOTUS upheld birthright citizenship.#USMNT#USA 🇺🇸
Folarin Balogun wouldn’t even be playing for USA if it was up to Trump and his birthright citizenship views smh lol. Let’s go!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
— Mal (@jarrard_3) July 2, 2026
Don’t forget…Flo Balogun is playing for the USA thanks to birthright citizenship guaranteed by the Constitution.
— 👊Ryan King 🔥 (@RKING90210) July 2, 2026
Folarin Balogun, who is a US citizen because he was born here, scores a go-ahead goal for the US team in a knockout game. Score one for birthright citizenship.
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 2, 2026
Trump use your white and executive privilege to protect your number one birthright citizen folarin balogun
— emily (joao pedro’s left foot) (@propachelsemily) July 2, 2026
Red card for Folarin Balogun is just awful. 💔
— Matt (@nosoupforgeorge) July 2, 2026
I hate that Trump supporters will probably celebrate this, since they don't want Americans who are Americans by birthright citizenship to be American.
Wow Great. We are in round 16! Thanks to Balogun who is a birthright American. See below. Hmmmm , what do you think MAGATS? Something fishy has happened like birthright tourism? Should we cancel his citizenship or wait until the world cup is over? pic.twitter.com/05sp2uUQqv
— Vas kumar (@kumar_vas18713) July 2, 2026
A huge thank you to #20, Mr. @balogun, for choosing to play for the @USMNT. As a fan, we’re blessed to have you.
— Nicholas Waller (@N_A_Waller) July 2, 2026
For the members of #MAGA who are out cheering and waving flags, donning the national team shirt, and celebrating the US’ success in this year’s World Cup, remember…
Trump won't do it because Balogun is a birthright citizen. https://t.co/6UTpoHYTIi
— BearsFanSteven (@BearsFanSteven) July 2, 2026
Birthright citizenship allows Folarin Balogun to play for the US team. I wonder if the Trump supporters who just cheered knows that. #WorldCup#GoUSApic.twitter.com/uRjLZ3XiAQ
— Kevin Simmons (@TheSkorpion) July 2, 2026
Same ones crying about birthright citizenship screaming free Balogun the jokes write themselves
— Meek 🃏 (@JihLikeMike) July 2, 2026