Cole Campbell Commits to U.S. Amid Bundesliga Breakout with Elversberg

Winger Cole Campbell, 20, confirmed he has permanently switched from Iceland to the U.S. as he targets a senior call-up for upcoming friendlies.

Cole Campbell has affirmed his commitment to the United States men’s national team following a breakout start to the Bundesliga season with Elversberg. The 20-year-old winger, who joined the club as a record signing from Borussia Dortmund in July, scored on his first league start during an upset victory over former champion Bayer Leverkusen. Though he previously appeared for Iceland’s under-17 team, Campbell confirmed on Tuesday that his 2024 switch to the U.S. is final.

The attacker nearly added to his tally during a 2-1 loss to Bayern Munich last week, but his goal was ruled out for a teammate's offside. A former teammate of U.S. midfielder Gio Reyna, Campbell reported he has maintained contact with the national team coaching staff for two years. He is now pushing for a senior debut during a series of friendlies scheduled for late September and early October against Peru, Chile, Mexico, and Canada.

Campbell’s professional career began in the Icelandic league in 2021, influenced by the heritage of his mother, Rakel Karvelsson. Karvelsson won back-to-back national titles at the University of North Carolina in 1996 and 1997, played for Iceland’s national team, and competed in the WUSA. Campbell credited his development to training with his mother, noting he only began consistently beating her in "two-touch battles" at age 14. He is scheduled to play next on Sunday against fellow promoted side Schalke.