Germany’s U-21 coach Antonio Di Salvo said on Thursday that dual-national prospects Noahkai Banks and Louey Ben Farhat “have chosen to represent Germany,” announcing both players in his squad for the upcoming U-21 European Championship qualifying matches.
Banks, 19, had been regarded by U.S. Soccer as a promising defensive prospect and had represented the United States at youth level, but had not yet been capped at senior level. His inclusion in the German U-21 squad marks a clear public commitment to Germany’s youth programme.
The announcement is likely to be viewed as a blow to the United States men’s national team (USMNT), which has pursued several dual-national players in recent years as it seeks to bolster depth and talent pools. By accepting a place in Germany’s U-21 setup, Banks takes a step that strengthens his ties to the German national pathway.
Di Salvo made the decision public in an official release, confirming both players’ choices as he prepares his squad for the qualifiers. The move underscores the ongoing competition between national federations to secure the international futures of young, dual-national players.
While Banks’s future at senior international level is not yet settled in the long term, his selection for Germany’s youth side will be followed closely by both federations and supporters as the U-21 qualifying campaign approaches.