Noahkai Banks, top dual-national prospect, chooses Germany in blow to USMNT
The Guardian • • sports
Key Points:
- Noahkai Banks, a dual-national defender eligible for both the US and Germany, has chosen to represent Germany, as confirmed by Germany U-21 manager Antonio Di Salvo.
- Banks, born in Honolulu to an American father and German mother, has previously played for US youth teams but must file a one-time switch to play officially for Germany.
- Banks established himself as a top young defender with FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga, starting 23 league matches last season and all four so far this season.
- Despite being called up to the US senior team in 2025, Banks did not play in friendlies and reportedly declined a US camp call-up in March 2026, signaling his lean towards Germany.
- The USMNT had hoped Banks might join their 2026 World Cup squad due to a lack of depth at center-back, but his decision to represent Germany likely ends US pursuit of him.
