U.S. Soccer legend doesn’t hold back on Noahkai Banks’ national team indecision
· Yahoo Sports
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is less than three months away from kicking off.
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For USMNT soccer players, it will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to represent their country in a home World Cup.
However, up and coming prospect and FC Augsburg defender Noahkai Banks is still undecided on whether playing for the United States is the path he wants to take for the rest of his career.
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While Banks, whose mother is German, has featured for the USA at youth levels, he is also eligible to play for Germany.
June 26, 2010; Rustenburg, SOUTH AFRICA; USA midfielder Landon Donovan (10) shoots and scores on a penalty kick during the round of sixteen in the 2010 World Cup against Ghana at Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via Imagn Images
Recently, the 19 year old turned down an invitation to be part of the USMNT squad this month as he continues to weigh up his decision.
Banks was also brought into the U.S. Men’s Team camp last September by head coach Mauricio Pochettino, however the teenager did not receive any gametime on that occasion.
Landon Donovan’s strong opinion on Noahkai Banks
The choice which Banks has to make between the USA and Germany is certainly a complex one, and U.S. soccer legend Landon Donovan has shared his thoughts on the situation.
Landon's thoughts on Noahkai Banks declining the USMNT's March invite:
— Unfiltered Soccer (@UnfilteredSoccr) March 24, 2026
“From the federation’s standpoint, and particularly Matt Crocker, who makes these decisions, if someone does not want to play for your country, good riddance. Goodbye. And I’m not mad at him. He can make his… pic.twitter.com/GUKlz8Mauf
“If someone does not want to play for your country, good riddance. Goodbye,” Donovan said on the “Unfiltered Soccer” podcast.
“And I’m not mad at him. He can make his decision. But now, I don’t care about you anymore. I don’t. I don’t care about Noahkai.
“If he does not want to play for the U.S., totally fine. I get it. If he feels more German, I’ve always said, make the decision where you’re passionate.”
Dec 7, 2024; Carson, California, USA; LA Galaxy defender Maya Yoshida (4) and former player Landon Donovan embrace after defeating the New York Red Bulls in the 2024 MLS Cup at Dignity Health Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Donovan feels that USA soccer shouldn’t be displaying any sort of desperation as they wait on Banks’ decision.
“And this whole notion of us, like, begging him to play for our country is bull****. Like dude, if you don’t want to play for us, don’t play for us. That’s fine,” Donovan said.
Overall, Banks has a bright future ahead of him in the international game regardless of which national team he decides to play for.
From the USMNT’s perspective, it would be a blow for the side’s chances at this year’s World Cup, and in the future, if Banks chooses to represent Germany instead of the United States.
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