U.S. men’s national team coach Mauricio Pochettino said his staff remains in contact with Augsburg center back Noahkai Banks, but that the German-American defender has yet to make up his mind about his national team future and will not be part of the upcoming U.S. camp in September and October.
The Hawaii-born Banks, 19, was in consideration for the U.S. team ahead of the 2026 World Cup, and in theory for the summer tournament itself, but ultimately decided not to make a decision about his international allegiance.
“We are in contact with all the potential dual-nationals,” Pochettino said to a small group of reporters on Monday. “I think it’s important for us, of course, because that is the human connection that is so important. Even if they, like in that case, Noki, didn’t change his mind and is waiting still, no decision, and of course we cannot consider him for the next camp.
“That is the case. But the organization is working with all the dual-nationals and players with the possibility to make a decision. That human connection is is important because if one day they feel that they can defend and they want to fight and to be part of our national team. Of course, if they deserve it, and we consider that they deserve to be involved, of course we are going to call (them up). In that case, Noki is still in the same situation that (he) was before the World Cup when we talked.”
Banks started the first two games of the Bundesliga season for Augsburg. He said recently that while he isn’t ready to make his international choice just yet, he’s aware it needs to happen sooner than later — preferably by the November FIFA window, the last of this calendar year.
“I told both of them that I just wanted to concentrate on the start of the season now,” Banks told German publication Bild. “But I know that I have to decide by the next international break or at the latest by the international break after next.”
Bild reported that Germany had been in touch with Banks and that Germany coach Jürgen Klopp had scouted one of his recent matches in person.
Banks was called into a camp by Pochettino in the fall of 2025 and still lists “USMNT” in his Instagram bio. He told German outlet Kicker he watched the World Cup with “mixed feelings.”
“I watched with mixed feelings and was happy for the guys because they all made me feel so welcome back then,” he told Kicker. “Every now and then I told myself it would be cool to be there. But I didn’t dwell on it. I’m not the type to regret things in hindsight. I made my decision with the future in mind, and it’s the right one.”