Justin Ellis progresses from US under-18 to under-19 national team
- Soccer player Justin Ellis has advanced steadily through international youth competition, progressing from his debut with the United States Under-18 national team in September 2024 to early-year appearances...
- Ellis received his first national team call-up on September 6, 2024, when coach Michael Nsien selected the player for an Under-18 training camp in Niigata, Japan.
- The United States rostered Ellis for the UEFA Friendship Cup in Nyon, Switzerland, scheduled from May 30 through June 11, 2025, following a May 28 call-up.
Soccer player Justin Ellis has advanced steadily through international youth competition, progressing from his debut with the United States Under-18 national team in September 2024 to early-year appearances with the Under-19 squad in March 2026.
Under-18 Debut and Early Tournaments in Japan and Spain
Ellis received his first national team call-up on September 6, 2024, when coach Michael Nsien selected the player for an Under-18 training camp in Niigata, Japan. The camp featured friendlies against a local Niigata selection, Japan, and Peru. On September 14, 2024, Ellis debuted for the squad and scored the decisive 93rd-minute goal to secure a 4-3 victory against Japan. Two days later, he scored the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Peru. On March 16, 2025, coach Marlon LeBlanc named Ellis to the Under-18 roster for a training camp in Marbella, Spain, featuring friendlies against Morocco and Norway. Six days into that camp, Ellis scored the opening goal for the United States in a 2-2 draw against Morocco.
Success at the UEFA Friendship Cup in Switzerland
The United States rostered Ellis for the UEFA Friendship Cup in Nyon, Switzerland, scheduled from May 30 through June 11, 2025, following a May 28 call-up. Placed in a group with France, Argentina, and Australia, the American squad finished the group stage undefeated. Ellis scored during extra time against Australia, helping secure the group win and a spot in the final against Portugal. The final match ended 1-1 after regulation, and the United States won 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
Transition to the Under-19 National Team
Ellis transitioned to the Under-19 national team on August 29, 2025, receiving a call-up for a training camp held from September 1 to September 8, 2025, at McCurry Park in Fayetteville, Georgia. Another selection followed on October 3, 2025, for a training camp in San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain, running from October 6 to October 15, alongside friendlies against Northern Ireland and Belgium. On November 7, 2025, program staff selected Ellis for the UEFA Under-19 youth tournament, where the team faced Germany, Wales, and Japan.
Preparation for the 2026 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship
Ellis received his first Under-19 national team call-up of 2026 on March 19, joining a training camp in Alicante, Spain, designed as preparation for the 2026 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship. Nine days after that selection, the United States Under-19 team played an international friendly against Wales. Ellis scored the final goal in a 4-0 victory.