Noahkai Banks Chooses Germany, Extending USMNT's Dual-National Struggles

The teenage defender's decision to represent Germany marks the latest in a series of dual-national players to pass on the U.S. men's national team.

Teenage center back Noahkai Banks has decided to represent Germany rather than the U.S. men's national team, a setback for coach Mauricio Pochettino and U.S. Soccer. Banks had played only for the United States at the international level, accepted a senior call-up a year ago without appearing, and said as recently as February that he had given no thought to switching.

His choice continues a difficult stretch for the USMNT in recruiting dual nationals. After earlier successes with players such as Folarin Balogun, Johnny Cardoso, Yunus Musah, Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman, the program has recently seen Nathaniel Brown choose Germany, Obed Vargas and Brian Gutiérrez pick Mexico, and Esmir Bajraktarević opt for Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Not all of those departures fall on Pochettino. Bajraktarević left before the Argentine took charge, and Vargas departed about a month into his tenure. The Gutiérrez case, however, followed a period in which his U.S. call-ups stopped after he had indicated he was choosing the American side; he went on to play four games for Mexico at the World Cup.

Pochettino, who took over in 2024 with a mandate focused on the home-soil World Cup, is now under contract through 2030 and faces a longer recruiting horizon. Players who could still be targeted include Montrell Culbreath of Bayer Leverkusen, Landon Emenalo of Chelsea, Luca Koleosho of Paris FC and goalkeeper Taishi Brandon Nozawa of Royal Antwerp.

Retaining current prospects such as Julian Hall, Diego Kochen, Mathis Albert and Adri Mehmeti is also viewed as a priority. After Banks made his decision, Pochettino said the program wants committed players who are desperate to play for the badge.