FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. – Mauricio Pochettino opened his first post-World Cup training camp in the United States on Monday – and after he signed a long-term contract to stay on as coach.
Many European players called up for four friendlies in 16 days were missing due to club action on Sunday; most are expected to train here Tuesday at the national training center, located 25 miles south of Atlanta.
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A total of 28 draftees, including 13 who have never worn a senior shirt, will begin the four-year cycle leading up to the 2030 World Cup. There are eight rookies, 12 players returning from the round of 16 this summer and one former starter (Yunus Musah) returning to the team after an 18-month layoff.
But another player who has no US appearances in his portfolio but has the potential to make the lineup soon is not here. It’s not because he’s injured or Pochettino passed him on.
This is because Noahkai Banks chose to play in Germany.
Noahkai Banks, born in Hawaii to an American father and German mother, reported to the senior camp in the US last September, but instead made a one-off switch to FIFA to play in Germany.
(USSF via John Dorton/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
Last week, the German federation called up the 19-year-old defender to its national under-21 team – a thunderbolt that suggested the 6-foot-4 dual international had finally made up his mind after considering international options last year. Banks had to apply to FIFA for a one-time transfer because he represented the USA in the youth competition.
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You win some, you lose some.
In fact, the U.S. gained more than it lost: Numerous players who qualified for multiple countries have chosen the U.S. over the years, including 2026 World Cup members Folarin Balogun, Sergiño Dest, Ricardo Pepi, Malik Tillman and Alex Zendejas.
Some went the other way.
Nearly 20 years ago, New Jersey native Giuseppe Rossi chose Italy over the United States and recorded 30 appearances and 7 goals for the Azzurri.
Dual nationals are prominent in all of football. Norwegian superstar Erling Haaland, French Michael Olise and German maestro Jamal Musiala deserved to play in England.
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The son of an American father and a German mother, the Hawaiian-born Banks has served with the US youth national teams and reported to Pochettino’s senior camp last September. He spent most of his life in Germany and honed his skills at Bundesliga club Augsburg before catching the eye of the Germans.
Still undecided before the final set of friendlies before the World Cup training camp last March, Banks was ruled out.
U.S. officials hoped he would soon commit to the 2030 World Cup cycle. Ten days before setting his list for this camp, Pochettino said the United States had contacted Banks.
“This human connection is important because if one day they feel they want to fight and be part of our national team – and if we think they deserve to participate – of course we will call,” Pochettino said on September 7.
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Soon Banks made his decision.
“We want players who show commitment, but commitment is not 50 percent. It’s 200 percent.” Pochettino told reporters in New York On Friday, after the announcement of the German list. “He was honest because we kept in touch every time[ed] He has a chance to join us, he said, ‘No, there is still doubt. I don’t know if I’d choose USA or Germany.”… We want players who are confident[ted] and playing for the mark and playing for us is desperate.”
Given Germany’s superior depth, Banks would have a better chance of immediately playing for the United States and making an immediate bid for the 2030 World Cup. With Germany, he must work from under 21 years of age.
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Germany could also use the help. Since winning their fourth World Cup trophy in 2014, the Germans have twice failed to get out of the group stage before losing to Paraguay in the round of 32 this summer.
The banks have not yet made a public statement about his decision.
His decision comes as Pochettino looks to expand his squad by introducing several young players in this training camp. While Pochettino called up two-thirds of his World Cup squad, Crystal Palace’s Chris Richards, 26, and Villarreal’s Alex Freeman, 22, were unexpectedly left out of captain Tim Ream, who turns 39 next month. (He will be honored before a friendly against Chile in his hometown of St. Louis on Sept. 29.)
Pochettino also called up Cincinnati’s Miles Robinson, 29, and Celtic’s Auston Trusty, 28, to his World Cup squad, but left out Mark McKenzie, 27, from Toulouse. He also passed 28-year-old Cameron Carter-Vickers of Celtic at the World Cup.
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West Bromwich Albion’s George Campbell, 25, returns for the first time since his debut in January 2025, and Neil Pierre, 6-foot-5 from Philadelphia, 18, is in the mix for an offseason in Major League Soccer.
In other words, Pochettino is looking for new options in central defense. Unfortunately, Banks would be fine.
USMNT camp records
A team spokesman said Richards was placed on leave for personal reasons and will not begin practice until Wednesday. … Striker Damion Downs, 22, has reportedly entered camp as a replacement for Pepi, who was injured against PSV Eindhoven on Sunday. … The U.S. will practice in Georgia on Thursday before flying to Orlando ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Peru.