Noahkai Banks, a 19-year-old defender currently with German club Augsburg, will not receive a call-up for the U.S. men’s national team’s upcoming friendly matches. The decision comes as Banks deliberates over his international future between the United States and Germany.
Banks holds eligibility for both nations, having been born in Hawaii while spending most of his childhood in Germany. USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino confirmed he remains in contact with the prospect, emphasizing the importance of maintaining personal connections with dual-national players who may eventually choose to represent the American program. Pochettino noted that Banks’ situation has remained unchanged since discussions prior to the World Cup.
The young defender previously represented the United States at youth levels and participated in a USMNT training camp last September. However, Banks withdrew from consideration for March friendlies, effectively removing himself from World Cup roster contention. He has expressed feeling conflicted about choosing between the two nations but indicated he would reach a final decision by the end of the calendar year, with a target of resolving the matter by the November international window at the latest.
Despite watching the USMNT’s World Cup campaign with mixed emotions, Banks stated he is prioritizing his club career development and making a long-term decision rather than acting on immediate sentiment. He emphasized adopting a forward-looking approach to his international choice.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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