The German Football Federation announced that dual-national defender Noahkai Banks has pledged his international future to Germany over the United States. Germany under-21 coach Antonio Di Salvo said Banks and Tunisian dual-national forward Louey Ben Farhat have "chosen to represent Germany." Banks, 19, was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to an American father and German mother, but moved to Germany at 7 weeks old. He rose through FC Augsburg's ranks starting at age 9 and has made 35 appearances for the club.

Banks previously represented the U.S. at the 2023 U17 World Cup, so he must file a one-time change of association with FIFA. He appeared for the U.S. U19 and U20 teams and was called into a U.S. training camp by coach Mauricio Pochettino in September 2025. However, he turned down a March camp invite and later said he wasn't ready to decide.

"We've been in contact with both of them for a while now and had focused our efforts on them," Di Salvo said. "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."

Banks' decision is a blow to the USMNT, which remains thin at center back. His international future now lies with Germany.