Noahkai Banks, who turned down a United States men’s national team call‑up in March to weigh his international future, was invited to Germany’s under‑21 camp for the upcoming European qualifiers, according to Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg.
Should Banks accept the invitation, he will need to submit a one‑time switch request to FIFA, which would permanently tie him to Germany and end any possibility of representing the United States at senior level.
Germany U‑21 coach Antonio Di Salvo confirmed the development, telling reporters, “We’ve been in contact with both of them for a while now and had focused our efforts. 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.”
The call‑up is a setback for USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who had been planning a September/October training camp focused on the next generation of American talent. The roster announced Thursday featured 16‑year‑old phenom Cavan Sullivan and 13 uncapped players, many under 21, and Banks had been expected to join that group.
Banks, born in Honolulu and raised in Germany, has become a regular starter for Bundesliga side FC Augsburg over the past year and has previously represented the United States at the under‑20 level. His club performances have drawn attention for senior national‑team selection in both countries.
Despite the German call‑up, Banks still lists the USMNT in his Instagram bio. Pochettino noted that the player remains undecided, stating, “Noki didn’t change his mind and is waiting still, no decision, and of course we cannot consider him for the next camp.”