Noahkai Banks sends strong message to Mauricio Pochettino before World Cup

Noahkai Banks was instrumental in Augsburg's 1-0 victory over Heidenheim on Sunday in Matchday 22 of the 2025-26 Bundesliga season. The young defender is making his case to represent the U.S. Men's National Team at the upcoming World Cup.

Banks, 19, played the full 90 minutes and recorded nine defensive contributions, completed 37 of 39 passes (95% accuracy), delivered three passes into the final third, made three tackles, one block, five clearances and four headed clearances.

With this game, it is now 16 consecutive starts for the Hawaii-born defender. In the current season, Banks player has appeared in 18 of 22 matches and scored one goal, establishing himself as a key piece in Augsburg's push away from the relegation zone and into 11th place in the league standings.

Noahkai Banks makes his case to Mauricio Pochettino before World Cup

If head coach Mauricio Pochettino intends to play the USMNT with a three-man defensive line, as he has tested on more than one occasion, Banks is a more than intriguing option, even for a starting role.

The 19-year-old defender primarily plays as a right center-back and is an ideal candidate to pair with Chris Richards and a third center-back arriving in good form for the World Cup in the defensive line. It will ultimately depend on Pochettino's interpretation.

Team USA has two friendlies scheduled for March, a perfect opportunity for Pochettino to test Banks as a starter. The USMNT will face Belgium on March 28 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, followed by a match against Portugal on March 31 at the same venue.