Monaco reinstate U.S. striker Balogun for Conference League

U.S. striker Folarin Balogun has been reinstated in AS Monaco’s UEFA Conference League squad after initially being omitted, the club confirming his inclusion on Tuesday following a UEFA‑published list. The decision comes amid lingering uncertainty over his future after a failed Everton move and a brief period out of the competition roster.

Squad update and recent form

The UEFA website displayed the updated squad on Tuesday, listing Balogun among the forwards while Ansu Fati, injured on 25 October against Lille and expected to miss two months according to L’Equipe, was removed.

Balogun has only appeared as a substitute this season, featuring in five matches and netting his first goal in a 3‑1 defeat at Paris FC on Sunday.

A photograph by Teresa Suarez for AP shows Balogun, right, duelling with Paris FC’s Rudy Matondo during the French League One encounter in Paris, France, on Sunday, 1 November 2026.

Transfer saga and international fallout

He was on the brink of a £40 million move to Everton on 1 September, the last day of the European summer window, but withdrew after the English club raised health concerns during his medical.

Days later Monaco omitted him from the Conference League list, keeping open the option to sell him to a league where the transfer window remained open, a plan that never materialised.

The saga follows a World Cup episode in which Balogun, the United States’ star forward, received a red card in the round‑of‑32 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

His one‑game suspension was deferred by FIFA after U.S. President Donald Trump phoned Gianni Infantino to request a review of the dismissal.

Balogun then featured in the Round of 16, delivering a forgettable performance as the United States fell to Belgium.

Monaco have already secured wins over CSKA Sofia and Freiburg in the competition and face FC Nordsjælland on Thursday, followed by fixtures against Hearts, Brighton and Lincoln Red Imps in the 36‑club league phase.