On Thursday, February 12, 2026, Utah Royals FC announced that forward Mina Tanaka and defender Miyabi Moriya have been called up to represent Japan at the 21st AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The tournament will take place in Australia, where Nadeshiko Japan aims to capture its third title in this historic women’s international football competition.
This edition of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will be the last to serve as the qualifier for the FIFA Women’s World Cup, slated for 2027 in Brazil. Additionally, it functions as the Asian qualification pathway for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, with all quarter-finalists earning a spot in the 2028 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.
Japan’s Title Ambitions and Group Stage Opponents
Japan enters the competition seeking to dethrone the current champions, China, while pursuing only their third overall title in the tournament’s history, the previous wins occurring consecutively in 2014 and 2018. The team’s group stage matches will be hosted at Perth Rectangular Stadium, opening against Chinese Taipei on March 4, followed by matches versus India on March 7 and Vietnam on March 10.
Tanaka and Moriya’s Recent Highlights and Contributions
Mina Tanaka concluded the 2025 season as Utah Royals’ top scorer, securing the Golden Boot. She was also named Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year after netting six goals and providing one assist during the regular season. Her outstanding form continued from the start of the year, when she earned the MVP accolade at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup by scoring four goals, leading Japan to their first-ever title in that tournament.
Miyabi Moriya’s inclusion in the squad highlights her rising profile, having joined the 2025 SheBelieves Cup team as a late replacement for the injured Rion Ishikawa. Moriya also featured in the 2024 Summer Olympics and made her FIFA Women’s World Cup debut against Costa Rica in 2023, adding valuable international experience to her résumé.
Utah Royals’ Upcoming Preseason Engagements
Following the announcement, Utah Royals FC is continuing their preseason preparations with a trip to California. This weekend, they will compete in the Coachella Valley Invitational, which includes a matchup against National Women’s Soccer League newcomers Denver Summit FC on Sunday, February 15.
Significance of the Call-Ups and Upcoming Challenges
The selections of Tanaka and Moriya to Nadeshiko Japan’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup squad underscore the Utah Royals’ growing influence at both national and international levels. Their performances are expected to play a crucial role as Japan pursues both World Cup qualification and Olympic advancement. The tournament in Australia presents a pivotal stage that could shape the next chapters for these athletes and their club.
