HERRIMAN, Utah (Monday, October 5 2026) - Utah Royals FC announced today that eight players have been called up to their respective squads for the FIFA international window from October 5 to October 13.
Mina Tanaka, Narumi, Miyabi - Japan
All three Japanese players on the URFC squad have been selected to join their international squad for the October FIFA window. Forward Mina Tanaka, defender Miyabi and midfielder Narumi who makes her return to the highly competitive Japanese National squad for the first time since January 2025.
Tanaka has continued to cement herself as a key piece to the Royals attack throughout the 2026 NWSL season, netting six goals and three assists throughout the season thus far. With her goal on September 12 in the 1-0 victory against Houston the forward broke club records for career game-winning goals (6) and single-season game-winning goals (5). Tanaka’s abilities in the attack as well as her defensive qualities have helped to further cement herself in both club and country.
Along with Tanaka is midfielder Narumi, who has enjoyed a breakout season since joining the Royals ahead of the 2026 NWSL season. The 29-year-old has netted three goals for Utah throughout her first season with the club, her first scores in the league since 2023. Narumi not only brings high soccer IQ to the pitch but a rocket of a shot and her first call up since January 2025 is one that is well earned. Rounding out the Japanese players joining the national team is defender Miyabi, the composed defender joined URFC following the 2025 season and her consistency in the back has helped to lift URFC to multiple clean sheets and a ten game unbeaten streak to open the 2026 campaign.
The Japanese Women’s National Team is set to play two matches during the October window, first heading to France to play the Haitian Woman’s National Team on Friday, October 9 before finishing its duo of matches against the German International squad on Tuesday, October 13 in Bremen, Germany.
Cloé Lacasse - Canada
Canadian forward Cloé Lacasse will be joining the Canadian Women’s National Team for yet another international window this October. After rejoining the squad as a regular in February 2026 after returning from an ACL injury, Lacasse has cemented herself as one of Utah’s most explosive threats. With 17 goal contributions this season (7 goals, 10 assists) the Canadian now holds a new club record in Utah and has matched the single-season NWSL record for assists originally set by Tobin Heath (Portland) in 2016. The forward will join the Canadian squad for a pair of matches against Denmark on home soil on Friday, October 9 and Monday, October 12.
Kate Del Fava - United States
URFC Iron Woman Kate Del Fava has been named to the United States Women’s National Team roster for her first-ever senior team call up. The URFC defender has been a constant for the club since its return in 2024, playing each and every minute for Utah since it relaunched in 2024, continuously stepping up to challenge opponents to win tackles and keep the ball from entering the back of the net. While the defender has showcased her technical skill and grit within the NWSL, she has just recently become a more constant face within the national program at all levels. Del Fava was asked to join the United States U-23 squad during the last FIFA International Window and with her work at youth stage and within her club, she has impressed USWNT Head Coach Emma Hayes, earning a senior team roster spot for October. Del Fava will look to impress the U.S. Soccer coaching staff as it moves closer to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027 in its two matches against Spain, first at Audi Field in Washington, D.C. on October 10 before heading to Chester, Pennsylvania to close out the double header on October 13.
Jameese Joseph - United States U-23
Recently acquired Royals forward Jameese Joseph has been called up to the USWNT U-23 squad for a pair of friendly matches during the October window. Since joining Utah earlier this month, Joseph has integrated into the squad seamlessly having already seen playing time and making her starting and home debut on Sunday, September 20. While the 24-year-old’s home debut was cut short due to an early substitution following a URFC red card, Joseph showed energy and speed in her shortened time on the pitch and will continue to be an important piece of the Utah attack as it makes a playoff push. The inclusion on the United States youth roster comes just shy of a year after the Maryland native made her first-ever cap with the women’s senior team last November in a 3-0 victory over Italy.
The U-23 squad is set to play two matches against the Dominican Republic Women’s National Team on Friday, October 9 and Tuesday, October 13.
Kiana Palacios - Mexico
Mexican-American forward Kiana Palacios has earned yet another call up to play for the Mexican Women’s National Team during the October FIFA window. Since joining the Utah Royals, the quick paced attacker has cemented herself as a key piece to the squads continued run of form. Palacios has continued to work tirelessly to press opposition defenses and her striking ability has lifted her to four goals and four assists in her debut NWSL season. The forward will join her countries national team in Mexico for a double header of international friendlies against current URFC teammate Kameron Simmonds and Jamaica on Friday, October 9 and Tuesday, October 13.
Kameron Simmonds - Jamaica
URFC’s Kameron Simmonds is also among the Royals players joining her national team for the October window. The versatile young player has continued to showcase important and effective playing qualities for the club and will be a key addition for the Jamaican Women’s National Team (Raegee Girlz) in its two matches against Mexico on October 9 and 13. After earning a call up with the Raegee Girlz in April, Simmonds became one of the youngest Royals to earn a senior team roster call up at just 22-years-old and her continued growth with both club and country makes her a promising young talent to watch.
URFC Next Home Match: 10/17 @ America First Field
URFC takes on North Carolina Courage at home! Secure your seats for an unforgettable match at America First Field.
