Manaka Matsukubo

is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward or attacking midfielder for Women's Super League club Chelsea and the Japan national team. She previously played in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) for the North Carolina Courage, winning NWSL Midfielder of the Year in 2025.

She represented Japan at two FIFA U-20 Women's World Cups, reaching the final both times and earning the Silver Ball in 2024.

Club career

Mynavi Sendai Manaka made her professional debut for Mynavi Sendai of the WE League on 5 March 2023 and played 1,075 minutes across the season. She helped the team to a fourth-place finish in her first year as a professional, scoring four goals and adding one assist.

North Carolina Courage

On 27 July 2023, the North Carolina Courage acquired Manaka on a year-long loan from Mynavi Sendai. On 6 September, she started in the NWSL Challenge Cup semifinal against the Kansas City Current, becoming the youngest starter in the competition at 19 years old. She was the youngest player to score in the competition and was named MVP of the title game.

The following week, Manaka scored her first NWSL regular-season goal in a 2–1 loss to the Orlando Pride. On 15 October, she assisted Tyler Lussi's 1–0 winner against the Washington Spirit, clinching a playoff berth on the final day of the season. In the playoff quarterfinals, having lost NWSL MVP Kerolin to injury, the Courage fell 2–0 to the eventual champions Gotham FC.

On 27 June 2024, the Courage signed Manaka permanently on a year-and-a-half contract through 2025. On 7 July, she scored her first goal of the season when she chipped Racing Louisville goalkeeper Katie Lund from distance, earning a nomination for NWSL Goal of the Week. On 5 October, upon her return from the 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup, she set up a goal for Aline Gomes and scored the 2–1 game winner against the San Diego Wave, clinching a playoff berth and winning NWSL Goal of the Week for her header on a deflected cross from Ryan Williams. She finished her first complete NWSL season with 2 goals in 17 appearances. In the playoff quarterfinals, the Courage lost 1–0 to the Kansas City Current. On 17 May, she scored her first NWSL brace in a 2–0 win over the Chicago Stars, earning NWSL Player of the Week. On 21 June, she assisted Hannah Betfort's 2–1 winner against the Houston Dash, becoming the second-youngest NWSL player (after Trinity Rodman) to record goal contributions in five consecutive regular-season games (four goals and three assists).

On 17 October 2025, Manaka scored her first NWSL hat trick in a 4–1 win over Bay FC, becoming the youngest NWSL player to score a hat trick and being named NWSL Player of the Week for the second time. The following week, she scored a goal in the season finale against Gotham FC, but the Courage missed the playoffs despite a 3–2 win over the eventual champions. She finished an outstanding season with 11 goals (third in the NWSL) from 26 games. She was named NWSL Midfielder of the Year and NWSL Best XI First Team at the end of the season as well as one of five finalists for NWSL MVP.

On 28 March 2026, following the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup, Manaka made her season debut and scored in a 3–1 loss to Bay FC. By the summer break, she trailed only Barbra Banda for goal contributions in the NWSL with five goals and four assists through nine appearances.

Chelsea

On 3 July 2026, Manaka joined Women's Super League club Chelsea on a five-year contract.

International career Youth Manaka played for Japan's under-20 side during the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2022, scoring one goal as Japan made it to the final.

She was called up to play at the 2024 AFC U-20 Women's Asian Cup, scoring 3 goals, but she left early to return to her club.

She was selected for her second FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2024. In the semifinals, she scored both goals in a 2–0 victory over the Netherlands. She scored three goals in all at the tournament and received the Silver Ball as its second-best player.

Senior

Manaka received her first senior call-up to Japan in October 2024. She made her senior international debut on 20 February 2025, coming on as a substitute for Maika Hamano during a 4–0 win against Australia at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup.

Career statistics Club

International

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Matsukubo goal.

Honours and awards JFA Academy Fukushima

Nadeshiko Challenge League: 2020 Nadeshiko League 2: 2021

North Carolina Courage

NWSL Challenge Cup: 2023

Japan AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2026 SheBelieves Cup: 2025

Individual

NWSL Midfielder of the Year: 2025 NWSL Best XI First Team: 2025 NWSL Challenge Cup final MVP: 2023 WE League Outstanding Player Award: 2022–23