Manaka Matsukubo | QueenBallers Player profile

Manaka

Matsukubo

Jul 28, 2004

#34 - Midfielder

Manaka Matsukubo is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for the North Carolina Courage of the National Women's Soccer League and the Japan national team.

Did You Know?

She became the youngest player to be named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the NWSL Challenge Cup final at just 19 years old.

She set records in the 2023 Challenge Cup as the youngest player to both start and score in the tournament.

She helped lead Japan to the final of two FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cups, in 2022 and 2024, finishing as a runner-up in both tournaments.

She made her professional debut in Japan’s WE League at the age of 18.

During her youth career at JFA Academy Fukushima, she played every match in the 2020 and 2021 league seasons, earning both the MVP and top scorer honors in each year.

Nadeshiko Challenge League: 2020	1×
Nadeshiko League 2: 2021	1×
NWSL Challenge Cup: 2023	1×
SheBelieves Cup: 2025	1×
FIFA U20 Women's World Cup Silver Medal: 2022, 2024	2×

Year	Club	AP	GL
2023 - present	North Carolina Courage	33	5
2023 -	Mynavi Sendai Ladies	12	4
2019 - 2022	JFA Academy Fukushima	46	30
International Stats
2024 - present	Japan	3	0
2022 - present	Japan U20	16	7

Did You Know?

Best Actions

Japanese baller scores late stunner to put her team in medal spot ~ Manaka Matsukubo

Goal by Manaka Matsukubo

Manaka Matsukubo made history during the 2023 NWSL Challenge Cup – in more ways than one.

Sponsors

Club Achievements

Awards

Stats

Team: North Carolina Courage