‘We Want Players With No Doubt’: Pochettino Breaks Silence on Noahkai Banks Choosing Germany Over USMNT

Mauricio Pochettino has had his say after teenage defender Noahkai Banks chose to represent Germany instead of the United States, praising the youngster's honesty while making clear he only wants players who are fully committed to the USMNT cause.

Banks, who plays for Augsburg, has now filed a one-time switch to join Germany's Under-21 setup, a decision that dealt a blow to Pochettino's plans. The 19-year-old was born in Honolulu to an American father and a German mother but grew up mostly in Europe. He came through the US youth system and even got a senior call-up for friendlies against South Korea and Japan back in September 2025, though he never actually played a senior game for the Stars and Stripes. His choice brings an end to a long pursuit by the USMNT.

Pochettino revealed that Banks phoned him personally to break the news.

"Yes, he called us. He said, 'I decide to go for Germany,'" Pochettino said, as quoted by CBS Sports. "That is a situation that we need to deal with. We want players that show commitment but commitment is not 50 per cent. It's 200 per cent, but it's good."

The USMNT boss also praised Banks for being upfront throughout the process.

"He was honest because every time that we contact[ed] him with the possibility to join us, he said, 'No, still in doubt. I don't know if I want to pick USA or Germany,' and he was honest."

With the national team going through a period of change, Pochettino was clear that no single player is more important than the team itself.

"We want players with no doubt," he said. "We want players that are committed and desperate to play for the badge and play for us, and that is the most important thing. Of course, it's a thing that we need to deal [with] because we are in a country [where] that happens often but I think that organization is so strong. U.S. Soccer is an organization that is [above] any player, any name, any dual national and I think [what] is the most important that the player [has] no doubt when [they] join us, [there's] no doubt that they want to die for that chance."

With Banks now out of the picture, Pochettino has already shifted his focus back to homegrown talent. On Friday, he was at the New York derby alongside former Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, watching Red Bull New York beat New York City FC 1-0.

Pochettino kept a close eye on NYCFC goalkeeper Matt Freese, who started for the US at the World Cup, and also had his attention on RBNY's uncapped teenagers Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti. Both are dual nationals, meaning US Soccer will be keen to lock in their commitment before other countries get the chance.