Frankfurt’s Nathaniel Brown earns first Germany call-up, potentially closing USMNT door

Germany head coach Julian Nagelsmann named Brown to his 23-man roster for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixtures against Luxembourg on Oct. 10 and Northern Ireland on Oct. 13. The call-up represents a significant breakthrough for the Frankfurt defender following his impressive performances in both the Bundesliga and Champions League this season. Brown's inclusion comes amid Germany's defensive restructuring following their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign on home soil.

Born in Frankfurt to an American father and German mother, Brown has maintained eligibility for both nations throughout his development. While growing up entirely in Germany's youth system, his American heritage through his father provided a potential alternative international pathway that now appears increasingly unlikely to materialize.

"Of course," Brown said in a video released by Frankfurt in July, when asked if he'd thought about playing for the U.S. "There was contact as well, but I was born in Germany and I've played for the Under-21s.”

Brown's progression through German youth ranks culminated with his key role in the under-21 side that reached the European Championship final against England in June. 

Brown's rapid ascension at the club level has accelerated his international timeline beyond initial expectations. After joining Eintracht Frankfurt's academy at age 13, he progressed through their youth system before establishing himself as a first-team regular last season under head coach Dino Toppmöller. The versatile defender has started all five of Frankfurt's Bundesliga and both their Champions League games this season, contributing to three goals in all competitions while demonstrating tactical flexibility across multiple positions in the backline.

Although the U.S. missed out on Brown, they've had varying degrees of success in recruiting dual nationals. Their latest recruits are Damion Downs and Noahkai Banks, who are also German and American. Downs has already played in six matches for the U.S. in his first year with the program. Banks has featured for the U.S. U-20 squad and was called into the team's senior September camp. While he didn't receive his first cap, his presence at the camp was a positive sign.