Folarin Balogun hopes to reap rewards of choosing the US national team at the 2026 World Cup

Folarin Balogun hopes to reap the rewards of his decision to represent the US national team when he plays in the 2026 World Cup on American soil and in front of its fans.

Balogun, who was born in the United States and raised in England, could have continued his international career with the England national team, and he also had the opportunity to represent Nigeria, his parents' country. But three years ago, he decided to choose the US national team, a move that could grant him a central role on the world's biggest football stage.

"I feel like everything I've been through in my career has led to this moment," Balogun said during the US national team's camp in Orange County, California. "Representing my country in the World Cup in front of our fans will be something special for me, my family, and my friends."

He added: "I am greatly looking forward to this experience, and I feel very proud to be here."

Balogun's decision to join is considered a significant gain for the US national team, not only because of his technical level but also because of the team's long-standing struggles at the striker position.

The 24-year-old striker scored 19 goals for French club Monaco this season, boosting hopes that he could be one of the attacking solutions that the US national team has lacked in previous World Cups.

The US national team has historically suffered from a lack of offensive effectiveness in the World Cup, scoring only three goals in four matches during the Qatar 2022 edition, with only one of them coming from a pure striker.

The numbers reflect the magnitude of the problem, as the US national team has scored only 28 goals in 30 matches in its last eight World Cup appearances since 1990.

With the current edition kicking off on home soil, Americans are pinning great hopes on Balogun to help lead the team to its best achievement in the tournament in decades.

The Spanish national team received a significant morale boost before the start of its campaign in the 2026 World Cup, after wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams participated in the training session held by "La Roja" on Thursday in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA.

During the 15 minutes open to the media, the two young stars, who had been suffering from a thigh injury, participated in training alongside the rest of the players, except for Victor Muñoz, without showing any signs of discomfort.

Their return to collective training was welcomed by their teammates, who formed a mini-honorary tunnel for them before the start of the training session.

Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams had missed the trip to Mexico for the last friendly match against Peru, which Spain won 3-1, after they stayed at the team's accommodation in Chattanooga to continue their treatment program.

Despite missing the match, the two players participated in part of a training session in the past few days, before now returning to full collective training.

Spain's national team coach, Luis de la Fuente, had previously confirmed that the duo would be available to participate in the opening match against Cape Verde, scheduled for next Monday, at the start of Spain's World Cup campaign.

For his part, Aitor Karanka, the technical director of the Spanish Football Federation, said: "It is up to Luis de la Fuente to make the decision at the right time. This is his tournament, and everyone wants to help him," referring to the possibility of Lamine Yamal starting from the first match.

Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli seeks to continue his brilliance, victories, and confirm his superiority over his Mercedes teammate, British driver George Russell, when he competes in the Formula 1 Barcelona-Catalonia Grand Prix this weekend.

The 19-year-old, who has become the youngest leader of the Formula 1 standings in history, has shown that he is a driver with the necessary composure and pure speed to win last Sunday's race at the Monaco street circuit, capping off a pole position start with absolute dominance from start to finish.

This week, he could become only the sixth driver to achieve six consecutive victories, thus equaling the total number of victories he has achieved so far in his career, which is the same as his teammate Russell, who was a strong favorite to be the main contender for the title before the start of the season and after the first round, which he won.

On the streets of the principality, the Italian continued his perfect season, which saw him start from pole position four times and win five of the first six races.

The Italian extended his lead at the top of the championship to 66 points ahead of his new second-place competitor, British Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, and 68 points ahead of his teammate Russell, who failed to score any points last Sunday after receiving a penalty at the end of the race.

"The car was fantastic on Sunday. It was an exceptional day, and one of those days where we had amazing speed that gave me the confidence to push and give my all," said Antonelli after becoming the youngest driver to win the principality's race.

Despite winning the first six races of the season, Mercedes' Austrian team principal Toto Wolff said that no final conclusions should be rushed from the series of victories his team has achieved, considering that the Barcelona circuit will provide a clearer picture of the car's true level.

"Barcelona is a more traditional circuit, and therefore, it reflects the true level of the car and tests it from all aspects," he said. "It includes a long straight, as well as a mix of fast, medium, and slow corners. Therefore, after Monaco, it will give us a better opportunity to assess our true performance."

He continued: "This will be the first weekend where we can better understand the recent updates we have brought and know our true position compared to the rest of the teams. We need to understand how the car will react to different conditions... We must be cautious in making early judgments based on recent race results."

"Our goal is simple: reset everything": Wolff also addressed the team's drivers' situation, emphasizing that he understands the confidence Antonelli has gained, but he also believes that Russell has the necessary qualities to make a strong comeback.

He said in this regard: "It is natural for Kimi to leave Monaco with a great deal of confidence. But our primary focus must be on building on this momentum and continuing to deliver our best in Barcelona."

He added: "As for George, things did not go as planned in the recent races, but that is part of the competition. He is a very strong driver mentally, and we know well the level he can deliver, and he is surrounded by the right people."

He specified: "Our goal is very simple: reset everything, focus on the upcoming weekend, and help him regain his form."

All eyes are on four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who returns to the circuit where he achieved his first win in 2016 on his debut with Red Bull after being promoted from the junior team Toro Rosso.

The Dutchman was looking forward to last Sunday's race, from which he started second, but a power unit failure led to his retirement at the start.

Ten years ago, Mercedes, as is the case now, arrived as the favorite to win, but its drivers competing for the title, Hamilton and German Nico Rosberg, who retired immediately after winning the championship at the end of 2016, collided and retired from the race on the first lap.

This gave Verstappen his first win at the age of 18, while Ferrari drivers, Finn Kimi Räikkönen, the 2007 champion, and German Sebastian Vettel, a four-time world champion, finished second and third respectively.

Something similar happening in this weekend's race is not out of the question, based on what happened in Canada between Russell and Antonelli, who will be highly motivated in Spain to join the club of drivers who have achieved six or more consecutive victories.

This club includes Verstappen, who achieved this streak twice (10 in 2023 and 9 between 2023 and 2024), Vettel (9 in 2013), and his compatriot, the legend Michael Schumacher, who achieved it twice (6 between 2000 and 2001 and 7 in 2004).

As for the others in this club, they are the Britons Nigel Mansell and Jim Clark, the Australian Jack Brabham, Rosberg, and the Italian Alberto Ascari.