Mao Itamura's Liverpool Debut Delayed by U20 World Cup

Mao Itamura’s Liverpool start will have to wait.

The new Liverpool FC Women forward has been called up by Japan for the U20 World Cup in Poland, which kicks off on September 5. It’s a major stage for one of the most exciting young attackers in the women’s game – and a headache for her new club.

Japan have been drawn in Group D and open against New Zealand on September 6, before facing USA on September 9 and Italy on September 12. With the tournament running straight into the start of the 2026-27 Women’s Super League season, the dates collide badly for Liverpool.

The WSL campaign begins the same weekend the U20 World Cup gets underway, and the women’s international calendar is not aligned with the youth showpiece. That almost certainly means Liverpool will be without Itamura for at least their opening league fixture.

Japan’s decision to call her is no surprise. Itamura was central to her country’s U20 Women’s Asian Cup triumph in April, striking three times across the tournament as Japan went all the way. She helped drive that side to the title, capped by a tight 1-0 win over North Korea in the final.

For Liverpool, it’s a short-term loss. For Japan, it’s another chance to unleash a proven match-winner on the biggest youth stage.