Liverpool FC Women attacker Mao Itamura has been named in Japan’s squad for the upcoming FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in Poland.
Japan have been drawn in Group D alongside New Zealand, USA and Italy. They will face New Zealand on September 6, USA on September 9 and Italy on September 12. The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Poland 2026 will be the 12th edition of the competition.
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Japan, runners-up at the past two editions and champions in 2018, will be among the favourites. USA are three-time champions, while New Zealand will make their 10th consecutive appearance at the tournament. Italy, meanwhile, will make their debut.
Japan qualified after winning the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup, beating Korea DPR 1-0 in the final. Italy secured their place by reaching the semi-finals of the 2025 UEFA Women’s U-19 Championship, while USA qualified after reaching the semi-finals of the 2025 Concacaf Women’s U-20 Championship.
New Zealand booked their place by winning the OFC U-19 Women’s Championship, defeating New Caledonia 3-0 in the final.
Itamura joined Liverpool FC Women in July 2026 after signing from Feyenoord, where she had played since January 2025.
The Japan U-20 international developed through the ranks at JFA Academy Fukushima before moving to Europe.
At the end of the 2025-26 campaign, she was named Women’s Eredivisie Player of the Year and shortlisted for the Johan Cruyff Talent of the Year award after recording eight goals and six assists in 20 matches.
Her form also helped Feyenoord qualify for European competition for the first time in their history.
In April 2026, Itamura played a key role as Japan won the U-20 Women’s Asian Cup, adding to her international experience after previously featuring at both the U-17 and U-20 Women’s World Cups.
Below is the full squad:
Goalkeepers: IWASAKI Uruha (Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara) 21 NAWA Sako (Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies) 12 ISHIDA Hinaha (Sanfrecce Hiroshima Regina).
Field Players: 5 HONDA Yura (Nittaidai SMG Yokohama) 8 HIGUCHI Rinka (Chifure AS Elfen Saitama) 7 MATSUNAGA Miyu (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza) 9 TAGO Natsumi (Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Ladies) 10 ITAMURA Mao (Liverpool FC/England)
19 KURIMOTO Yuka (University of Tsukuba) 15 SUZUKI Haruko (Nittaidai SMG Yokohama) 4 OTA Mitsuki (INAC Kobe Leonessa) 14 SHINJO Miharu (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza) 6 FURUTA Asako (Tezukayama Gakuin University)
16 HARA Hibari (Chifure AS Elfen Saitama) 3 ASO Tamami (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza) 11 TSUDA Anon (Mynavi Sendai Ladies) 17 SANO Momoka (JFA Academy Fukushima)
2 AOKI Yuna (Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza) 20 NAKAMURA Konoha (Cerezo Osaka Yanmar Girls U-18) 18 SATO Mone (RB Omiya Ardija WOMEN) 13 FUKUSHIMA Noa (JFA Academy Fukushima).