Noahkai Banks has declined to join the U.S. men's national team camp for the upcoming March international window, casting doubt on his participation in the World Cup qualifiers against Belgium and Portugal. The 19-year-old defender, who holds dual German-American citizenship, remains undecided about which country he will represent at the senior level, sources told ESPN. His absence from the camp, confirmed by German outlet Kicker, follows a period of uncertainty after he debuted for Borussia Dortmund last season and has since flourished at Bundesliga side Augsburg, earning 21 appearances and scoring one goal.

Banks, born in Hawaii but raised in Germany from infancy, represented the U.S. at the 2023 U17 World Cup and participated in a USMNT training camp last September, where he praised the welcoming environment. However, FIFA rules permit him to switch allegiance once, and he has indicated he won't rush his decision. A source revealed Banks is currently dealing with a foot injury that kept him out of last weekend's 2-0 loss to Dortmund.

With the World Cup less than 100 days away, his absence from the March camp makes his inclusion in the U.S. squad appear increasingly unlikely.