Why isn't Folarin Balogun playing for the USMNT vs. Peru?

Jon Arnold, USA TODAYSat, September 26, 2026 at 12:01 PM UTC

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It has been an eventful summer for Folarin Balogun, which is part of the reason he was not included for the United States men's national team roster for its September and October friendlies.

After being the center of an international controversy over his red card in the World Cup, Balogun was back in the headlines weeks later. Moments from a deadline day move from AS Monaco to Everton, the forward pulled out from the deal at the last minute and stayed with the principality club.

Balogun didn't go right back into the squad, however, dealing with a knock that had him sidelined for much of the month.

"We had some conversations about how he is, how he feels that he needs to move on," USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters at a Thursday, Sept. 17 news conference. "It was very nice conversation.

"Now he is focused on trying to recover a little bit from a small issue in one of his legs. Last week he nearly was training normally, and we'll see if he can play as soon as possible in his club."

Balogun returned to the field for the Ligue 1 side before the international break, playing 14 minutes in a win over Lens. That should mean he's fit and ready to go not only when play resumes for Monaco, but also in November when Pochettino assembles his Concacaf Nations League quarterfinal roster.

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The forward scored three goals at the World Cup, with a double in the opener against Paraguay and a goal against Bosnia and Herzegovina before the infamous red card.

"He’s an important player for us, was an important player in the World Cup and I hope he can find – be it in Monaco or another place – his best place to perform in the best way," Pochettino said Monday, Sept. 7, during a virtual roundtable with American reporters.

Who is playing forward for the USMNT with no Balogun?

With the absence of the 25-year-old and some other regulars, Ricardo Pepi was expected to lead the line. But an injury suffered with his club, PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, meant he also didn't report.

St. Louis City SC forward Damion Downs was added to the roster, which also includes several young prospects who hope to have a bright present and future with the U.S.

New York Red Bulls forward Julian Hall, who is 18, and Orlando City forward Justin Ellis, 19, are both on the roster and will expect to get a shot from Pochettino.

USMNT September and October schedule -

Sept. 26: vs. Peru (Orlando)

Sept. 29: vs. Chile (St. Louis)

Oct. 3: vs. Mexico (Glendale, AZ)

Oct. 6: vs. Canada (St. Paul, MN)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why isn't Folarin Balogun playing for the USMNT vs. Peru?

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