Momoka Sano

Sano was born in Shizuoka and came through Irie Soccer Sports Boys, Tokohadai Tachibana Junior High School and JFA Academy Fukushima.

Sano entered JFA Academy Fukushima with the academy's 16th class in 2021, having been listed as a student from Shizuoka.

Her first major international tournament came at the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in the Dominican Republic, where she was part of Japan's squad.

She was named MVP of the 2025 Japan Club Youth Women's Soccer Championship after JFA Academy Fukushima won the tournament for the third time.

Japan's 2026 AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup final became one of the biggest moments of Sano's young career: she started against DPR Korea and scored in the 56th minute to give Japan a 1–0 victory and a record-extending seventh continental title.