Noahkai Banks becomes Augsburg starter and emerges as USMNT World Cup contender

Goal reports that Noahkai Banks has established himself as a Bundesliga starter for Augsburg at 19 and remains an uncapped, intriguing dark horse for the US men’s national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Banks made his senior debut in January 2025 and finished that season with eight appearances. This campaign he has started 10 games and come off the bench twice, scoring his first goal on Oct. 4 in a win over Wolfsburg and starting each of his club’s last seven matches aside from a 3-0 loss to Hoffenheim. According to FB Ref, he is above average in pass completion, progressive passes and progressive carries, as well as in blocks, clearances and aerials, and sits in the 97th percentile for tackles-per-90; he also produced a standout performance in a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, leading the game in duels won and completing 29 of 32 passes. USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino has praised him as "a massive talent," saying in August that "maybe at the end of the season he can be the best center back in Europe or in Germany."

The pathway to the USMNT is clear but narrow: Banks must keep progressing at Augsburg and hold his starting spot. With the U.S. scheduled to play Portugal and Belgium in the March international window — the last direct chance to impress Pochettino before roster decisions — the coach will ultimately decide whether the uncapped teenager can make the World Cup squad and potentially matter in Qatar in 2026.

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Sports, Noahkai Banks, Augsburg, Usmnt, Mauricio Pochettino, Bundesliga