Map Shows US World Cup Team's Immigrant Backgrounds
Summary
The U.S. men's national soccer team for the 2026 World Cup includes several players born outside the United States or with immigrant backgrounds. One player, Folarin Balogun, was able to play for the team because of birthright citizenship protected by the 14th Amendment, despite efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to change citizenship rules.Key Facts
- Six players on the U.S. World Cup team were born outside the United States.
- More than half of the 26 players have dual citizenship.
- Folarin Balogun was born in Brooklyn due to his mother’s unexpected childbirth during a visit to New York.
- President Trump signed an order trying to end automatic citizenship for children born in the U.S. to non-citizen parents; courts have stopped this from happening.
- The Supreme Court will soon decide on this citizenship issue, with a ruling expected during the World Cup.
- Other players, like Tim Weah and Haji Wright, have parents from countries such as Liberia, Jamaica, Ghana, and Mexico.
- Christian Pulisic has a Croatian passport through his grandfather, helping his early soccer career.
- Some players grew up or played soccer abroad, like Weston McKennie, who was raised in Germany.
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