Liverpool FC Women’s new attacking arrival Mao Itamura is set to join Japan at the upcoming U20 World Cup kicking off in Poland on September 5th, with Japan set to face New Zealand (September 6th), USA (September 9th), and then Italy (September 12th) in Group D play.
Unfortunately for the Reds, though, this is an honor that likely confirms Itamura will miss out on at least the first Women’s Super League match of the season, with the WSL 2026-27 season kicking off on the same day and the set international
breaks in the women’s game not in alignment with the U20 World Cup.
Itamura was a key player in her youth national team’s triumph at the U20 Women’s Asian Cup this past April, scoring three goals through the tournament and with Japan lifting the trophy after a 1-0 final victory over North Korea.
The Japanese youth international has looked bright in pre-season thus far since signing for Liverpool, and most recently she scored a brace in Liverpool’s dominant 5-0 win against Sheffield United.
