With only four months to go until the World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino’s U.S. team is nearly finalized. If no injuries occur, key players like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie, whose teamwork has been fostered over recent friendlies and tournaments, are expected to participate.
While some of the 26 roster spots remain uncertain, fans can look forward with confidence to the Group D opener against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium.
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One intriguing option is a German-American teenager with no senior international experience. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches, this young center back has made his mark in the Bundesliga.
Noakai Banks has only participated in one U.S. training camp and has donned the national team jersey just once. While the World Cup isn’t the sole focus, as Pochettino fine-tunes his roster, Banks stands out as a notable prospect, aside from those vying for the third goalkeeper position.
The final training camp is set to occur soon, featuring high-profile friendlies against Belgium and Portugal in Atlanta at the end of next month, ahead of Pochettino’s squad announcement in May.
Pochettino is anticipated to reveal his March roster within the next five weeks. With Chris Richards and Tim Ream bolstering central defense, alongside Mark McKenzie, Myles Robinson, and Auston Trusty, the question remains: will Banks, at just 19, receive an invite next month?
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Though he is yet to receive a cap, Banks has made a strong case for inclusion. He has played as a starter in 15 consecutive games for Augsburg and participated in 17 out of 21 Bundesliga matches this season.
Pochettino has praised him as a “huge talent”.
Since his only call-up in September, Banks noted, “I’ve been gradually in touch with the national team. Not necessarily with Pochettino directly, but I’ve stayed engaged with the team as a whole.”
Augsburg’s Noakai Banks has been consistently starting in Germany as the U.S. finalizes its World Cup roster.
(Photo in partnership with Getty Images)
Banks expressed his gratitude for Pochettino’s kind words.
“I saw it because my mom shared it in our family group chat. She keeps up with everything,” he said during a video call with reporters. “It’s a great compliment, but I realize that a lot of hard work is still needed. I’m not there yet.”
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As March training approaches, Banks is focused on leaving a positive impression on Pochettino without getting overwhelmed by the prospect of being called up.
“People often think players are constantly worried about national team duties,” he said. “For me, it’s crucial to stay focused on the game at hand. If I perform well, everything else will fall into place. Right now, my priority is to excel in the upcoming matches.”
In considering Banks’ potential impact on the U.S. team, Pochettino must also take other factors into account. Currently, Banks has played exclusively for U.S. youth teams, including the U-17 World Cup squad in 2023, although he remains eligible to represent Germany.
“I’ll be honest, I’ve had discussions with Germany before,” Banks admitted. “I’m not sure what the future holds, but for now, I’m committed to the U.S. and have no intention of switching.”
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He described the U-17 World Cup in Indonesia as “one of the best experiences of my life.”
Banks’ only senior call-up occurred in September. Although he was on the bench in a match against Japan and didn’t play in a game against South Korea, he shared how nerve-wracking it was to enter camp at age 18.
“I was quite anxious,” he confessed. “I wondered if the older players would think, ‘Who is that? What is he doing here?’ But it turned out to be an incredible experience. Players like Pulisic and (Tim) Weah were really supportive.”
Pochettino also offered invaluable guidance.
“He used to play as a center-back, so he understands my position perfectly. He provided me with advice on key details like positioning. It’s those small adjustments that can make a significant difference at the top level,” Banks noted. “He offered some great tips, and I hope to apply them in the future.”
After Banks’ first senior camp, his aspirations for playing in the Under-20 World Cup were put on hold as Augsburg denied his release due to the tournament falling outside the official international window. Pochettino did not call him to training camps in October and November as he was still finding his footing at Augsburg.
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As is common among U.S. athletes with dual citizenship, Banks has a diverse background. His father is a former U.S. military officer, and his mother is of German and Spanish descent. They met when she came to the U.S. to attend college and play basketball. (“She had three ACL injuries,” he recalled.)
Due to his father’s military service, he was born in Hawaii but later lived in the Washington, D.C., area. After his parents separated, he moved to Germany with his mother.
“I’ve visited America numerous times to see my father and his family,” he shared. “My dad served 25 years in the military and currently lives in Washington, working to help kids in the community.”
He grew up in the Bavarian town of Dietmannsried, near the borders of Austria and Switzerland, and joined the Augsburg youth team at seven. His promising development saw him ascend to the U-19 team and subsequently the second team in the German fourth division.
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He has drawn inspiration from fellow German center-back Jerome Boateng. “(Lionel) Messi is also an idol, but he’s not in my position, so that’s the obvious choice. He’s simply the best player of all time,” he remarked with a smile.
Banks made his first-team debut with Augsburg in January 2025, finishing that season with eight appearances (three as a starter).
This season, he has become a regular in the starting eleven, ranking sixth on the team for minutes played and performing well in passing accuracy, long ball precision, and tackles per 90 minutes. He also became the first player to be suspended after receiving a yellow card in Augsburg’s recent upset victory over Bayern Munich.
“It’s been a remarkable year. To be honest, I didn’t expect this level of play,” Banks said. “The coaches have entrusted me and provided ample opportunities. At times, I’ve felt increasingly confident in my teammates, the game plan, and myself.”
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Augsburg has been in the Bundesliga since the 2011-12 season but hasn’t finished in the top 10 since the 2014-15 season.
Banks embraces both of his German and American heritages.
“I have both within me,” he stated. “It’s a blend.”
He appreciates American entertainment, especially during the harsh winter months.
“I love Denzel Washington in both ‘The Equalizer’ and ‘Man on Fire,'” he added. “He’s my favorite actor. I also enjoy Kevin Hart. I watch a wide variety of films, especially when the weather isn’t pleasant.”
The summer World Cup will bring warmth to America, but it holds a special place in his heart.
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“It’s not the right time to think about the World Cup yet, as I have many upcoming games here in Augsburg,” he explained. “We’re focused on winning those matches because we have set goals for the season. So, I’m committed to solely concentrating on the immediate games.
“Let’s see what unfolds in the summer,” he concluded.
The inclusion of Noakai Banks in the U.S. squad could introduce a fresh dynamic to the team, especially as he rises in prominence within the Bundesliga. For soccer fans, his potential participation not only signifies hope for the U.S. team’s future but also highlights the growing trend of dual-nationality players shaping the landscape of international soccer.
