United States forward Folarin Balogun has signed with the high-profile Klutch Sports agency following an eventful World Cup campaign that ended when the national team was eliminated by Belgium in the round of 16.

Balogun was a central figure throughout the USMNT’s tournament run, shining in the team’s swashbuckling victory over Paraguay and scoring three goals in total. He was then embroiled in a World Cup controversy and political storm when his red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 32 was suspended, which allowed him to play in the losing effort against Belgium.

Klutch, which was founded by James’ longtime friend Rich Paul and represents the basketball star and other elite athletes such as Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts and 10-time NBA All-Star Anthony Davis, made the announcement through social media on Monday.

Welcome @balogun! pic.twitter.com/wAxoY5Y8o0

— KLUTCH Sports Group (@KlutchSports) July 13, 2026

In a twist that may or may not be incidental, Balogun twice used James’ iconic “Silencer” celebration against Bosnia, once for a goal that was disallowed and again for the strike that put the Americans ahead.

LFG!!!!!! THE 🤫 HAS 🛬 at the World Cup! Helluva goal there Young 🤴🏾! 🫡. GO 🇺🇸 https://t.co/8wb2t2F6oq

— LeBron James (@KingJames) July 2, 2026

Paul, Klutch’s CEO, told the Hollywood Reporter that Balogun is “one of the most talented and influential players in global football today,” adding that his “relentless ambition and cultural impact represent the standard of excellence we hope to continue to bring to the sport.” Balogun was previously represented by UK-based Elite Project Group.

Klutch has not previously delved directly into soccer representation, aside from acquiring European agency roof, which has U.S. midfielders Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna in its stable, as well as some other notable players and coaches. The move comes at a potentially significant time for Balogun, who could be on the go this summer.

The Athletic’s David Ornstein has reported Monaco will seek a fee in the region of €50 million (£43.2m; $57.1m) for Balogun, and that a summer transfer is expected, given the level of interest in the 25-year-old from teams in England and Italy.

Balogun came through Arsenal’s academy but has scored 31 goals in 91 total appearances for Monaco since joining the Ligue 1 club three years ago, with the deal including a 17.5 percent sell-on clause. He scored 19 times for Monaco last season in all competitions — including three against Champions League winner PSG — as the club finished seventh in the league.

France have been the standout side at this World Cup. They have won all six of their matches and are determined to make amends for their defeat to Argentina in the 2022 final.

Standing in their way are Spain. The European champions have yet to reach the standards many expected of them in this tournament, but they remain the team best equipped to halt France’s charge.

It promises to be a fascinating contest, with France odds-on favourites to reach the final.

Beyond Tuesday’s semi-final, France coach Didier Deschamps’ side are also favourites to win the World Cup itself. Yet for many, Spain are the only team capable of stopping them.

So far, Luis de la Fuente’s side haven’t played with the same intensity and incisiveness we know they are capable of, yet there is good reason to believe they can win.

No team is averaging more possession per match at the World Cup than Spain (66 percent). Though de la Fuente has added a certain directness to Spain’s play after the tedium of the Luis Enrique era, the European champions’ game is still primarily based around control. They want to have the ball, and they want to have it in the opposition half.

Not only this, but when Spain lose the ball, they want to win it back as quickly as possible.

This has been a hallmark of their game for decades — and it remains the case. Only Uruguay have averaged more possessions won in the final third per 90 minutes than Spain at this World Cup — and they didn’t make it out of the group stage.

This will test France’s ability to build out from the back.

Their team is potentially top-heavy with Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise, as well as either Desire Doue or Bradley Barcola, expected to start the semi-final, which could put a lot of pressure on players deeper on the field to play through the lines.

Deschamps’ set-up could also lead to Manu Kone and Adrien Rabiot’s being overwhelmed in central midfield. The pair have been deployed as a double pivot at this tournament, with Aurelien Tchouameni also rotated in and out of the lineup. Kone and Rabiot have forged a particularly strong partnership because of their hard work and field coverage.

However, Spain will use a midfield trio, most likely consisting of Rodri, Pedri and Dani Olmo, to out-number France.

De la Fuente could even use Fabian Ruiz as another option to create a box midfield. France will have to play against the ball for long periods of Tuesday’s match in Dallas.

Lucas Digne could be another weakness that Spain look to exploit.

Though the Aston Villa defender is valuable for his crossing ability and willingness to get forward, he is not renowned for his defensive nous. This could be a problem against Lamine Yamal, who will dribble at Digne every chance he gets.

Of the players still left in the tournament, nobody is averaging more successful dribbles per 90 minutes than Yamal.

He is so important to Spain’s attacking game plan. Without the Barcelona teenager, they can be laboured and predictable in the final third. Yamal is the player who gives Spain a different dimension. If he plays well, France could be in trouble.

“If any team is capable of beating France right now, I would say it’s Spain,” said Arsene Wenger, when asked for his view of how the tournament could shape up.

“Because they have a better technical level than France. They have a quality of collective play, and a culture of collective play, that nobody else in the world has at the moment. Not at this level, anyway. So it’s between those two, in my opinion. After that, of course, France is stronger physically.”

France’s sheer attacking quality could swing the match in their favour.

Mbappe is the tournament’s joint-top scorer on eight goals, and Olise has created more Big Chances than anyone else besides Lionel Messi. Spain won’t just have to stop one of the most productive attackers in the world — but four of them all at once.

Tactically, France might revert to their ‘Deschamps-ball’ roots. So far at this World Cup, they have been able to play high up the pitch, servicing their forwards close to goal. Against Spain, though, the field tilt will shift dramatically, which could lead to France’s playing on the break. That might suit them.

This is the match the World Cup had been building up to. Argentina and England must not be discounted as potential winners considering the talent they possess, but France and Spain have set the standard at this tournament so far.

No matter who progresses, they will be the favourites in the final.

At 11/8, France are fancied over the other three teams to get their hands on the World Cup trophy for the second time in three attempts. Spain aren’t far behind them at 16/5 with England at the same price and Argentina 4/1.

Spain have been hindered by an injury to Yamal. Their pressing game might have been limited by the North American heat. De La Fuente has struggled at times to inject creativity into his team. And yet their natural playing style and quality out wide could make them France’s worst nightmare.

Everton returned for pre-season testing last week, with new signings Hayden Hackney and Tyrique George part of a smaller group that will travel to Scotland and ramp up preparations for Saturday’s first friendly of the summer against Dundee.

One figure who was conspicuous in his absence, though, was Jack Grealish. The England international was instead pictured on a training bike at Manchester City, with his loan move having expired at the start of the month.

After sustaining a foot injury in January that kept him out for the rest of the season, Grealish stayed at Everton for the first part of his rehabilitation and returned over the summer for more treatment and some light training on the practice pitches. His move seemed to suit all parties, with the 30-year-old having enjoyed his time on Merseyside and Everton keen to explore a deal to bring him back in time for the new season.

Premier League rules prohibit Grealish from returning to Everton for training until a deal can be struck, and the sight of him in City colours again brought his situation into focus once more.

Everton would be interested in a deal for Grealish on the right terms. There remains a sense at the club that he made a difference, both technically and mentally, to the squad before his injury; that a combination of his ability to hold the ball and make his team-mates believe they could go to big grounds and win helped catapult David Moyes’ side into European contention. And that his injury severely hampered their chances in the second half of the campaign.

But the move would need to make sense financially for the Merseyside club. Grealish is now in his final 12 months as a City player. He will turn 31 in September and earns close to £15million a year, with Everton having subsidised around three-quarters of that salary during his loan stint. The outlay is considerable for a player of his age, whose truly best years may well be behind him.

Another key factor will be when he actually returns to full fitness. There is no guarantee yet over his return date, or indeed whether he will definitely be fit for the start of the new campaign. Everton will want him to be ready to play more or less immediately, and are expected to play the waiting game during the final stage of his recovery before deciding whether to push ahead with a deal.

With youngster George having already re-signed, a move for another winger is likely to be dependent on if that happens with Grealish.

George has joined on a permanent transfer (Photo: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

The same is true in midfield, where it would almost certainly take Idrissa Gueye or Tim Iroegbunam to depart for them to return for a second signing after the addition of Hackney from Middlesbrough. Everton also confirmed the permanent signing of Merlin Rohl from Freiburg last week after the purchase obligation in his loan deal was triggered by their Premier League survival.

Iroegbunam continues to attract interest from clubs in England and Europe, as he did in previous windows. But there is a feeling Everton are hedging their bets; willing to sell at the right price — close to £20m — but having placed a valuation on him that may deter at least some potential suitors. His former club Aston Villa would be entitled to 10 per cent of the profit on the original £10m deal.

Gueye’s situation is also intriguing. The Senegalese is no longer technically an Everton player after his deal expired at the start of the month. Talks were put on hold during the World Cup, with his focus on delivering for Senegal at this summer’s tournament. All parties have been relaxed about the situation and continue to explore options.

The mood music for much of the summer has been that the veteran midfielder is more likely to depart than remain, but a stay has still not been completely ruled out, provided he accepts fresh terms and a potentially reduced role, given he will turn 37 in September. Talks are ongoing.

The situation in Everton’s goalkeeping department — certainly below No 1 Jordan Pickford — also remains fluid.

Karl Darlow during his time at Leeds (Photo: George Wood/Getty Images)

Last season’s deputy, Mark Travers, could well depart in search of more regular minutes, and a new goalkeeper would need to be sourced in that scenario.

Everton have assessed options for the backup goalkeeper position. Karl Darlow opted for Manchester United after leaving Leeds United as a free agent, while they hold an interest in Sam Johnstone of Wolverhampton Wanderers. There have also been noises more recently about Norway’s Orjan Nyland, another free agent following the expiration of his contract with Sevilla.

A new right-back remains a priority, with Tottenham Hotspur’s Djed Spence one of several options being considered for the problem position. Strengthening there remains imperative, with club captain Seamus Coleman having left as a free agent and Scotland international Nathan Patterson expected to follow him.

After committing to guaranteed fees of over £50m so far,  some outgoings will also be necessary — particularly from a regulatory standpoint.

Hackney, Rohl and George may be through the door early, but there is still much for Everton to do.