USMNT World Cup star caught in political row over Mike Johnson's 'transplanting Sharia law' comments
· Yahoo Sports
Folarin Balogun found himself unintentionally caught in the crosshairs of House Speaker Mike Johnson's latest remarks.
Balogun has emerged as the United States Men's National Team (USMNT) standout at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, netting twice in the host nation's commanding 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their tournament opener. While the forward represents the USMNT by virtue of his New York birthplace, he spent the vast majority of his life in the United Kingdom, building his career across European soccer.
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Despite his extensive time abroad, the 24-year-old was eligible to represent the USMNT through birthright citizenship, though he equally had the option of declaring for England or Nigeria. With Donald Trump actively seeking to overhaul birthright citizenship laws, Balogun's decision to play for the United States has taken on added significance.
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When pressed by reporters on the subject of birthright citizenship, and with Balogun's prominent role for the USMNT in mind, Johnson acknowledged its importance while cautioning that birthright citizens should not seek to displace American culture with their own.
"I think we can celebrate immigration, legal immigration," Johnson said on Wednesday, via The Mirror US. "We are a nation of immigrants, as we all recognize. My grandfather came over on a boat from Sicily with eight siblings and started a fruit stand, and I'm the Speaker of the House. Only in America, OK?
"But we embrace that. We know that that's part of our history, but we also expect that people will come, they will follow the spirit and the letter of the law, they will assimilate into our country and not try to transplant Sharia law and all these other crimes, you know, things, and change who we are.
"I think that's a very important thing for American identity, and I look forward to the court's opinion."
Johnson, alongside Trump, contends the nation's existing policy has been "abused in recent years" and suggests some individuals arrive solely to give birth and capitalize on their child obtaining American citizenship.
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Speaking about the Supreme Court's potential ruling, Johnson stated, "I think they're also going to consider the factors that are at issue and the strength and stability of the country. The president makes some very compelling arguments, a lot of people do, and we'll see how that shakes out. So I don't think it's inconsistent at all."
Following Trump's return to the White House for his second administration, birthright citizenship has emerged as a central priority, with an executive order issued on day one seeking to eliminate it. The Supreme Court has been examining the matter and its constitutional validity ahead of rendering a judgment.
Regarding his choice to represent the United States, Balogun shared with reporters his thought process when committing to the USMNT. "I made the decision about three, three and a half years ago," he told FOX Sport's Alexi Lalas. "The fans, the support I was getting really motivated me to make my decision. Also, I think the ambition of the American people and the culture really inspires me."
He continued, "I want to give myself the opportunity to experience things, and then I can make a decision from there.. That situation was no different. It planted a seed in my head."
The United States will face Turkiye in their final group stage fixture of the World Cup on June 25 at Los Angeles Stadium.