HERRIMAN, Utah (Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026) — Utah Royals FC announces that forward Mina Tanaka and defender Miyabi Moriya have been called up to represent Japan at the 21st edition of the AFC Women's Asian Cup.

Both Royals will join the team in host nation Australia as Nadeshiko Japan seeks a third title in the oldest women’s international football competition. For the final time, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will serve as the qualifying tournament for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be held in Brazil in 2027. This edition will also serve as Asian Qualification for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, as all quarter-finalists will qualify for the 2028 AFC Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament.

Japan will seek to supplant current champions China and lift just the third title in the nation’s history, with the last two coming back-to-back in 2014 and 2018. Japan will play all of the group stage games in Perth Rectangular Stadium, facing Chinese Taipei on March 4, India on March 7 and Vietnam on March 10. 

Tanaka finished the 2025 season as the Royals’ Golden Boot winner, the Most Valuable Player and...