American soccer fans might soon be able to breathe a sigh of relief about Julian Hall’s international future.
The Red Bull New York star was named to the U.S. men’s national team’s squad for the Concacaf Nations League matches against Haiti that take place beginning next week. Should the teen appear in one of the games, Hall will be cap-tied to the USMNT, per FIFA regulations.
The New York City native is also eligible to play for Poland through his mother’s heritage, and the country’s national federation has not been shy about trying to publicly court the 18-year-old. But USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino told reporters that he’s seen Hall “excited to play for the United States during his previous national team call-up.
“I don’t know what he said, but when Julian was with us, he was really excited to play for us, for the badge, for USA,” Pochettino said during a media call following Wednesday’s roster announcement.
“That’s what counts. In the end, what’s most important is how he performs, acts and his commitment.”
Hall earned his first senior team call-up during the September/October international window and appeared in four friendly matches, scoring three goals and registering an assist.
He had stoked some fear back in September when he did not close the door on playing for Poland during an interview with The Post, saying that his international future was “definitely not solidified for me” before he arrived at his first USMNT senior team camp.
“I appreciate the opportunity and I’m going to do as much as I can to make an impact, but I’m definitely still open to my Polish side,” he said. “That’s a side that I cherish a lot, especially because my mom is from there. I wouldn’t say it’s solidified.”
FIFA rules dictate that for a player under the age of 21, such as Hall, to be cap-tied, it takes appearing in more than three senior-level games of any kind, which would include at least one official competition.
Since the matches against Haiti are part of the Nations League, FIFA views those as official competitions and would cap-tie him to the United States if he appears in one or both matches, which take place on Nov. 14 in Miami and Nov. 17 in Cincinnati.
If Hall wanted to represent Poland, he would need to file a one-time international switch to FIFA following his participation in the FIFA U-17 World Cup with the U.S. youth national team.
Hall’s efforts during the September/October window made him a breakout star for the USMNT, and Pochettino said Wednesday that he “fully deserves” the call-up.
“There’s no doubt for me,” Pochettino said.
Hall has been one of the brightest spots for his club team this season as well.
The Red Bulls missed the MLS playoffs, but his 16 goals and four assists in 34 matches across all competitions made him the club’s top player in 2026.
