Noahkai Banks: USMNT Young Star Seeks a World Cup Spot

Noahkai Banks: From “Bambi on Ice” to Promise of American Soccer

In August 2022, Marko Mitrovic, then coach of the United States U-19 national team, first observed Noahkai Banks. The encounter took place in a match between FC Augsburg’s U-17 team and their Bayern Munich counterpart. At that moment, Banks, 15 years old, did not have his best performance, according to Mitrovic, who described him as “Bambi on ice”, alluding to the player’s lack of physical adaptation to his future height of 1.93 meters.

His hands and legs were from four different bodies.

Marko Mitrovic, current coach of the New England Revolution

Mitrovic’s intention was to identify future talents, and despite the initial performance, the coach found positive aspects in the young defender. He was impressed by Banks’ ability to pass and his vision of the game, highlighting his footballing intelligence, a good omen for the future. Mitrovic recommended Banks for the United States U-17 national team. Three and a half years later, the player, now 19 years old, is a regular at Augsburg and is about to debut with the United States senior national team, with the possibility of being included in the list for the FIFA World Cup. Banks was called up for a USMNT camp in September, although he didn’t get to play. The US national team coach, Mauricio Pochettino, has described him as “a huge talent”. In an interview, Banks expressed his focus on the present with Augsburg, who are currently in 11th place in the Bundesliga. “We have many games ahead, so I really try to concentrate here, and then we’ll see what happens in the summer,” he stated, making it clear that for now he is not thinking about the World Cup.

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From Honolulu to the Bundesliga: The Making of “Noki”

Noahkai Banks was born in Honolulu, the son of a U.S. military man and a Spanish-German mother. At seven weeks old, the family moved to Germany, dividing their time between Washington D.C. and Germany. After his parents separated, Noahkai stayed with his mother in Dietmannsried, a town near the Bavarian Alps. The nickname “Noki” was given to him by his aunt, Nicole, who thought it rhymed well with “schoki”, which means “chocolate bar” in German. Banks himself reveals that only his mother calls him Noahkai, “when she’s angry”. From a young age, Banks showed an unconditional passion for football. At the age of eight, his skills caught the attention of Augsburg, where he underwent a trial. Despite some initial doubts, youth coach Daniel Pawlitschko trusted him and kept him on the team. Banks’ path was marked by sacrifices, including long car trips for training. His mother, who was also an athlete, and his stepfather, who was a handball player and coach, supported his dedication. Banks, a perfectionist, spent hours practicing until he achieved excellence.

“Ice cube pisser”: Banks’ meteoric rise

Banks’ perseverance paid off. In the 2024-25 season, he debuted with Augsburg’s first team. His Bundesliga debut was on January 12, 2025, against VfB Stuttgart, where he replaced an injured teammate and had a good performance in the 1-0 defeat. Banks’ first goal in the Bundesliga came in October, in the 3-1 victory over VfL Wolfsburg. Augsburg’s sporting director, Benni Weber, described his composure as “ice cubes,” highlighting his impact on the team. Despite the success, Banks remains grounded, thanks to the support of his family and the humble atmosphere of the club. He recognizes the importance of not being influenced by social media and focuses on learning from his teammates, like captain Jeffrey Gouweleeuw.

An Early Connection for the USMNT?

Banks’ relationship with the US national team began with a recommendation to those in charge of the talent program. The player participated in training camps for the U-17 national team, where he impressed the coaches with his ability to pass the ball and his constant progress. Banks was part of the team that competed in the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, where he was one of the team’s best players, although they were eliminated in the round of 16. His personality also left its mark on his teammates, and it is remembered that he often sang at training camps. The USSF has shown its interest in players with dual nationality during their adolescence, and in Banks’ case, the experience with the U-17 team was key. The player has expressed his happiness at representing the United States and the connection with his teammates. Despite this, Germany has shown interest in the player, but Banks’ call-up in September reiterates the commitment of the United States. The player felt welcomed by the players of the senior team, including Christian Pulisic and Tim Weah. If Banks continues his progress, the summer could be even more promising.