Landon Donovan sounds off on dual-national star Noahkai Banks for keeping USMNT waiting on 2026 World Cup roster spot

The 2026 FIFA World Cup is a few months away and the United States has a roster problem, not in terms of numbers but star power and Noahkai Banks is currently at the center of it all.

The gap between what the USMNT has and what France, England, Spain, Germany, and Brazil bring to the table every tournament is enormous. England’s market value as a squad sits around $1.62 billion.

The US roster is at $351 million. That gap does not close overnight and it definitely does not close when talented dual nationals decide they would rather play for someone else.

Which brings us to Noahkai Banks…

Noahkai Banks is 19 years old, plays for FC Augsburg in the Bundesliga, and has seen his transfer value jump from €150,000 in late 2024 to €22 million today.

That already puts him tied for eighth among the most valuable American players alive and he is barely old enough to drink. He was born in Honolulu to an American father and a German mother, which means he gets to choose.

USMNT has supported Noahkai Banks for years…remember that

This assist from 19-year-old Noahkai Banks is special.

What a talent for the USMNT 🇺🇸

pic.twitter.com/RZTD3Q21c8

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) February 28, 2026

The USMNT invited him to their March camp ahead of World Cup player selection. He turned it down. One of the most recognizable players in USMNT history, Landon Donvan doesn’t like how Noahkai Banks hasn’t made a decision on where to play yet and honestly, I couldn’t agree more with what he said on the Unfiltered Soccer show.

Landon’s thoughts on Noahkai Banks declining the USMNT’s March invite:

Landon's thoughts on Noahkai Banks declining the USMNT's March invite:

“From the federation’s standpoint, and particularly Matt Crocker, who makes these decisions, if someone does not want to play for your country, good riddance. Goodbye. And I’m not mad at him. He can make his… pic.twitter.com/GUKlz8Mauf

— Unfiltered Soccer (@UnfilteredSoccr) March 24, 2026

“From the federation’s standpoint, and particularly Matt Crocker, who makes these decisions, if someone does not want to play for your country, good riddance. Goodbye. And I’m not mad at him. He can make his decision. But now, I don’t care about you anymore. I don’t. I don’t care about Noahkai – if he does not wanna play for the U.S., totally fine. I get it. If he feels more German, I’ve always said, make the decision where you’re passionate. Clearly, if he wanted to be a part of the U.S. team – he’s been in many camps, Tim. He’s been in camps. He’s been in youth camps. The federation has been on him for a long time. And this whole notion of us, like, begging him to play for our country is bullshit.”

If someone does not want to play for your country, good riddance. Trust me, I also understand that we are months away from the World Cup and worrying about a single player and creating these types of headlines is also bullshit. Landon Donovan should know better in that sense but the fact remains that none of this would even be happening if Noahkai Banks just made a decision.

If we wants to represent the USMNT, then he better get his ass to camp. If not then good riddance, as stated above. It should really be that simple. Really, I just find it annoying that the USMNT has been backing Noahkai Banks through youth camps and development programs for YEARS.

The federation has been on him for a long time. The idea that the United States should be begging a 19-year-old to represent his home country at a World Cup on American soil is exactly the kind of thing Landon Donovan and really, the more casual soccer fan like myself, has no patience for. To be clear, neither should anyone else.

We can be rational about it and to his credit, Donovan was more than fair with his thoughts. If Noahkai Banks genuinely feels more German and believes his best path to a World Cup win and world-class development runs through that program, then he should go play for Germany.

That is a reasonable decision. Whatever. Just make it and commit to it. Stop keeping the door open while the US program waits around for an answer. It makes the USMNT look bad while also damaging any Noahkai Banks love in America.

Make no mistake. Players like Noahkai Banks are exactly what the USMNT needs to close that gap with the elite nations. The Golden Generation conversation has been building for years and Pulisic and McKennie are carrying a heavy load.

Adding a rising €22 million center back at 19 years old would be a real piece of the puzzle. Losing him to Germany would be a real loss. Hopefully Noahkai Banks cares enough about it to make the right call before the window closes.

If not, Landon Donovan is right. Good riddance.

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