۲۰۲۴ has been a banner year for Asian women’s football. With a series of international competitions taking place, from the Olympic Football Tournaments in Paris, to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™ and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™, the new generation of stars have had the chance to sparkle on the global stage.

Now, with the schedule for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Brazil 2027™ having recently been made official, these young players will be working hard on their development with the goal of leaving their mark on an even grander stage.

FIFA profiles some of Asia’s new rising stars, all of whom will surely harbour hopes of featuring at the South American showpiece in just over two years’ time.

Momoko Tanikawa – Japan
Appeared at: Paris 2024 Olympics

Japan’s Tanikawa was undoubtedly one of the standout performers at the 2024 Olympics. In her team’s second group-stage match against Brazil, she latched on to a loose ball mid-way inside the South American’s half, and sent an arcing shot over the goalkeeper into the back of the net to secure a stoppage-time victory.

Tanikawa first burst on to the scene at the U-17 Women’s World Cup two years ago and, still aged just 19, she is still one of the most promising players in all of Asia. With some time still left before the 2027 Women’s World Cup, all eyes will be on her trajectory and whether she will become a central part of the Nadeshiko’s hopes of securing a second world title.

Choe Il-son – Korea DPR
Appeared at: U-20 Women’s World Cup, U-17 Women’s World Cup

At the U-20 Women’s World Cup in September, Choe’s six goals in seven games were a major factor in Korea DPR’s victory, and her endeavours were recognised with both the adidas Golden Ball as the tournament’s MVP, and the adidas Golden Boot as its top goalscorer.

Hot on the heels of that success, she turned out in October’s U-17 Women’s World Cup, where she again helped her team on their way to the trophy, with a goal and an assist in the second group-stage game against Kenya. While she remains uncapped for the senior side, one would imagine further recognition won’t be far away.

Manaka Matsukubo – Japan
Appeared at: U-20 Women’s World Cup

Matsukubo spearheaded the Japanese attack at the U-20 Women’s World Cup in Colombia, finishing the tournament with three goals, one assist and the adidas Silver Ball to show for her efforts.

Her brilliance at U-20 level was rewarded with her first call-up to the Nadeshiko for the home match against Korea Republic on 26 October. While she failed to make it on to the field, it feels like it’s only a matter of time until this exciting forward leaves her mark for the senior side.

Jeon Yu-gyeong – Korea Republic
Appeared at: U-20 Women’s World Cup

Jeon captained Korea Republic as they qualified from the group stage of the U-20 Women’s World Cup for the first time in ten years. Despite carrying a hamstring injury that had her playing below her maximum level, she still appeared in all four of her team’s games at the tournament.

As a student athlete, Jeon was among best players in the country at university level, and won the national championships with Uiduk University. Following her recent graduation, she is being tipped to take her game to the next level over the coming years.

Jon Il-chong – Korea DPR
Appeared at: U-17 Women’s World Cup

With six goals, Jon claimed the top scorer prize in May’s AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup, as well as having a major hand in her country winning the tournament.

Not satisfied with just one trophy, she was also part of the Korea DPR team as they triumphed in the U-17 global finals, and scored the crucial equaliser in the final against Spain. She was named the best player of the tournament and awarded the adidas Golden Ball.

Miharu Shinjo – Japan
Appeared at: U-17 Women’s World Cup

Bursting on to the scene at the tender age of 15 during the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup India 2022™, Shinjo appeared in three matches alongside Momoko Tanikawa, two years her senior, as part of Japan’s midfield double pivot.

She brought that experience with her into her second U-17 Women’s World Cup, playing a major role in her team’s journey to the quarter finals. Still just 17, she has every chance of continuing to make leaps forward in her game with an eye on breaking into the senior side.