The amount of high-profile young Americans plying their trades across the pond in Europe has grown exponentially over the last decade. While those youth prospects are no sure thing to pan out as future senior National Team contributors, there’s reason to think the following five names could become integral members of the United States Men’s National Team sooner than later.
Cole Campbell (Borussia Dortmund)
Campbell is an interesting story. He was born and raised in the United States before moving to Iceland at age 14. His maternal grandparents are Icelandic, and his mother represented Iceland internationally as a soccer player. He initially played in Iceland’s youth national team setup — even making an appearance for a first-division Icelandic team at age 15. He drew heavy interest from clubs across Europe and ultimately signed a deal to play for Borussia Dortmund.
Considering he is an American, the United States had been tracking Campbell for years. He ultimately decided to make the one-time switch to play for the country of his birth. Most recently, he’s been featuring for the United States u20 team. More importantly, he’s recently earned three appearances with Dortmund’s first team. Considering he’s only 18, the future looks quite bright.
Campbell is a very fast, tricky right winger with elite dribbling skills. There’s a world where he could make a play to sneak onto the 2026 World Cup roster.
Keyrol Figueroa (Liverpool)
As you’ll notice in this article, there’s a theme with dual nationals. Figueroa was another major win for the United States soccer program. The 18-year-old plays for the Liverpool u21 team. His father, Maynor, was a longtime national team player for Honduras. Figueroa also has English citizenship due to Maynor’s extensive career in the U.K. with the likes of Wigan and Hull City.
Maynor became a Green Card holder due to the latter half of his career being spent in MLS. As such, Keyrol became eligible to play for the U.S. It was somewhat surprising to see him spur his parents’ native country to play for the United States. However, since playing for U.S. youth teams (beginning in 2022), he’s been a strong fixture for the u17 and u20 teams.
While Figueroa can play on the wing, he operates much more as a traditional No. 9. He’s only about 5’10” — though his prowess comes as a poacher in the box a la Chicharito. Breaking in at Liverpool may be a tall task. Having said that, Figueroa has a strong pedigree, and the exposure needed to eventually make the leap to first-team football somewhere.
Noahkai Banks (FC Augsburg)
There is a dearth of young centerbacks within the U.S. pool at the moment. One can make the case Banks is the most promising of the bunch. At 17 years of age, he’s already garnered a bench appearance in the Bundesliga with Augsburg. Physically imposing at 6’2″, he commands the air quite well for a player his size.
Stylistically, he can also pick out a pass quite well when asked to do so. There are some Chris Richards comparisons here — though Banks might have a larger upside. He’s cemented himself as a starter with the best-case u20 side. It won’t be shocking to see Banks make his first-team debut with Augsburg over the next six months. You’re looking at a guy who could skyrocket up the pecking order and potentially be an option for the World Cup roster in 2026 if things break right. Like Figueroa and Campbell, Banks is a dual-national having lived much of his life in Germany.
Diego Kochen (FC Barcelona)
Kochen is the crown jewel of GK prospects within the system. New manager Mauricio Pochettino thinks so highly of Kochen that he was called up to the senior team for this recent home-and-away Nations League fixtures versus Jamaica.
While Kochen likely won’t feature in either match, it’s a testament to the talent he harbors. At 18 years of age, he’s currently playing for Barcelona B. For the last five years, he’s been at the famed La Masia academy — learning from a plethora of world-class players. Many across the world football landscape consider Kochen among the best goalkeeper prospects in the world today.
When analyzing the current crop of goalkeepers representing the program, there doesn’t seem to be a fixture at the position. The door will eventually be open for Kochen to assume the role once he gets consistent first-team action. Not only is Kochen eligible to play for the United States, but he theoretically can also represent Peru, Venezuela, and Spain.
Mathis Albert (Borussia Dortmund)
If you’re looking for the next Christian Pulisic — a term not meant to be thrown around lightly — Albert might be the choice.
We say this based on Pulisic breaking into Borussia Dortmund as a teenager. He was immediately an impact player from the jump, and we’ve seen how he’s since become among the better players in Serie A and perhaps the most talented American player ever.
Albert is from Los Angeles and played in the LA Galaxy academy. A tri-national with France and Germany, Albert was able to move abroad and sign with Borussia Dortmund’s academy — a place renowned for developing young players. Having just turned 15, Albert is already starring for Dortmund’s u19 team.
Albert is quick and decisive with his movements. Aside from the obvious athletic ability, he’s immensely technical. He operates mostly on the left where he’s scored three goals in three matches for the u19 team.
While Germany is pushing for his services, Albert has represented multiple youth U.S. squads, and will likely continue to do so. He may have the highest ceiling of any prospect in the entire pool regardless of age.
