USMNT set to lose prized prospect Noahkai Banks to Germany in recruiting blow

Noahkai Banks, the 19-year-old center back who declined a U.S.men’s national team call-up in March to weigh his international future, was called into Germany’s under-21 camp for European qualifiers on Friday.Assuming Banks accepts the call-up, which was first reported by Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany, he will be required to file a one-time switch with FIFA — becoming tied to Germany while ending his chances of playing for the United States.Indeed, Germany’s U21 coach, Antonio Di Salvo, told reporters that Banks had made his decision.“We’ve been in contact with both of them for a while now and had focused our efforts,” Di Salvo said.

“I’m very pleased that we have been able to lay out a future pathway with Germany for them and that they agreed with it.”That represents a blow to Mauricio Pochettino ahead of a September/October camp that will be focused largely on the USMNT’s next generation after the roster announced Thursday included 16-year-old phenom Cavan Sullivan along with the likes of Adri Mehmeti, Julian Hall, Justin Ellis, Neil Pierre and a total of 13 uncapped players, 12 of whom are 21 or under.Banks, who was called into camp in September 2025 but did not receive a cap, looked set to be part of that group.He has represented the U.S.

at the under-20 level, and was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, before growing up in Germany.Over the past year, he’s become a regular starter for FC Augsburg in Germany’s Bundesliga, looking more and more like someone with a part to play in the national team.Had he not opted out of March camp, Banks likely would have been on the World Cup roster bubble for an American team that was thin at the back.Less than two weeks ago, Mauricio Pochettino told reporters that Banks was still undecided between the U.S.

and Germany, and thus wouldn’t be called into September camp.Banks, as of Friday morning, still had the USMNT in his Instagram bio.“Noki didn’t change his mind and is waiting still, no d...