Chicago Stars FC forward Micayla Johnson has been called up to represent the United States at the 2026 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup. The tournament will be hosted in Poland from September 5-27, 2026.

Led by head coach Vicky Jepson, the U-20 USWNT will open the tournament against Italy on September 6. The USA will then take on Japan on September 9 before closing out the group stage against New Zealand on September 12.

 

2026 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup
Group D – USA Schedule

Johnson earned her first call-up to the U-20 USWNT during the June international window. In her time on the U-19 Women’s National Team, she made her mark during the April international window, subbing into the United States’ first match against Argentina on April 14 and tallying an assist before starting and scoring two goals against the Argentinians in their second matchup on April 17.

A native of Troy, Michigan, Johnson was a U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year finalist in 2025 after appearing in 10 matches for the U.S. U-17 WNT, during which she had as many scoring contributions as games played (seven goals and three assists). She scored in all three Concacaf qualifiers and had the lone U.S. goal in the U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup quarterfinals vs. Netherlands on a world class strike before the USA fell in penalty kicks.

Johnson made her professional debut for the Chicago Stars at just 17 years old on March 14, 2025, and scored her first professional goal on Oct. 5 against Utah Royals, just days before the start of the 2025 U-17 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Johnson, who also scored in the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, became the first U.S. player to score in two FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup tournaments and will be looking to tally in her third consecutive FIFA event. Johnson finished her U-17 career with nine goals in 18 caps.

 

2026 FIFA U.S. Under-20 Women’s World Cup Roster by Position (College or Club; Hometown; U-20 Caps/Goals)

Goalkeepers (3): Caroline Birkel (Stanford; St. Louis, Mo.; 6), Evan O'Steen (Seattle Reign FC; Grapevine, Texas; 2), Kealey Titmuss (Penn State; Grand Blanc, Mich.; 5)

Defenders (7): Aven Alvarez (UNC; New Hill, N.C.; 12/0), Ella Bard (Louisville; Wadsworth, Ohio; 6/0), Lizzie Boamah (Stanford; San Diego, Calif.; 6/0), Pearl Cecil (Virginia; Encinitas, Calif.; 2/0), Emma Johnson (Penn State; Greenfield, Ind.; 9/1), Hope Munson (UNC; Holladay, Utah; 6/0), Katie Scott (Kansas City Current; Fairview, Pa.; 11/1)

Midfielders (6): Kennedy Fuller (Bay FC; Southlake, Texas; 8/2), Lily Joseph (Notre Dame; Hamden, Conn; 2/0), Ainsley McCammon (Seattle Reign FC; Bedford, Texas; 6/0), Y-Lan Nguyen (Stanford; Fairfax, Va.; 5/0), Nyanya Touray (Florida State; Silver Spring, Md.; 4/0), Linda Ullmark (Houston Dash; Buffalo, N.Y.; 7/6)

Forwards (5): Emeri Adames (Seattle Reign FC; Red Oak, Texas; 4/1), Alex Buck (Washington; Medina, Wash.; 6/1), Micayla Johnson (Chicago Stars FC; Troy, Mich; 4/2), Audrey McKeen (Racing Louisville FC; Vienna, Va.; 2/0), Sealey Strawn (UNC; Prosper, Texas; 2/0)

Nádia Gomes, Kathrin Hendrich, Jordyn Huitema and Mallory Swanson Named to Senior National Teams, Micayla Johnson Called Up to United States Under-20 Women’s National Team

Chicago Stars FC players Nádia Gomes, Kathrin Hendrich, Jordyn Huitema, Micayla Johnson and Mallory Swanson will join their respective national teams for the June international window. At the senior level, Gomes will represent Portugal, Huitema will compete with Canada, Hendrich with Germany and Swanson will join the United States, while Johnson will represent the United States Under-20 Women’s National Team (U-20 USWNT).

Swanson headlines the five Stars players called up in June, making her long-awaited return to the international stage after seeing the pitch with Chicago for the first time in more than a year. The final third of the famed “Triple Espresso” trio that helped lead the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) to Olympic gold in 2024, Swanson joins the United States for two rematches of the 2024 gold medal game. The USWNT is hosted by Brazil June 6 at 4:30 p.m. CT and June 9 at 7:30 p.m. CT.

Huitema will join the Canada Women’s National Team (CANWNT) for the June international window. Huitema most recently joined the CANWNT for the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, making two 90-minute appearances against Colombia March 1 and Argentina March 7, subbing into Canada’s match against the United States March 4. June will see Huitema and Canada face off with Costa Rica in a friendly June 9.

Gomes joins Portugal’s roster for the first time in 2026 as the country aims to retain the top spot of their group in UEFA’s 2026 Women’s European Qualifiers. Gomes most recently joined Portugal in the second leg of League Phase action in the 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League, appearing on the matchday roster but not subbing on in Portugal’s 7-1 loss to Spain April 8, 2025. The final League B group phase matchdays of the 2026 Women’s European Qualifiers for Portugal will see them face off against Latvia June 5 and Finland June 9. Ranking first or second in the group qualifies Portugal for the playoff phase of the tournament, with the top team of the group being promoted to League A for the 2027 UEFA Women’s Nations League.

Also participating in UEFA’s 2026 Women’s European Qualifiers are Hendrich and the German Women’s National Team. Hendrich will compete with Germany for the first time in 2026, most recently earning minutes in both of Germany’s matches against Spain in the 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League Finals. Germany will finish League A group play with matches against Norway June 5 and Slovenia June 9. If Germany maintains their current standing at the top of their group following the June matches, Hendrich and Germany will clinch their spot in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Johnson continues climbing in the United States youth national system, earning her first roster spot on the U-20 USWNT. While on the Under-19 Women’s National Team (U-19 USWNT), Johnson continued her top form in the April international window, subbing into the United States’ first match against Argentina April 14 and earning an assist before starting and claiming a brace against the Argentinians April 17. The U-20 USWNT will travel to Spain for a training camp in June, playing friendlies against France June 5 and 8.

Gomes, Hendrich, Huitema, Johnson and Swanson will all return to Chicago after the international window closes. Following the NWSL’s midseason break, the Stars will return to the pitch at home July 5, hosting Utah Royals FC at 4 p.m. CT for the club’s Fourth of July Night. Tickets for all Chicago Stars home matches, including Season Ticket Memberships, Flex Packs and single-match tickets, are available now at chicagostars.com/tickets.

Aaliyah Farmer, Julia Grosso and Jameese Joseph Called Up to Senior National Teams, Micayla Johnson Joining United States Under-19 Women’s National Team

Chicago Stars FC defender Aaliyah Farmer, midfielder Julia Grosso and forwards Micayla Johnson and Jameese Joseph will join their respective national teams for the April international window. At the senior level, Farmer will compete with Mexico, Grosso with Canada and Joseph will join the United States, while Micayla Johnson will represent the United States Under-19 Women’s National Team (U-19 USWNT).

 

Jameese Joseph - U.S. Women's National Team

Joseph heads to the West Coast to join the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) for a trio of friendlies against 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup champion Japan. Joseph has featured in all three of the U.S. rosters so far this year, earning her first start and scoring her first goal in January before featuring in two matches with one start in the February/March window. Joseph’s presence on the field was a difference-maker for the USWNT March 1 as she set up an initial pass to Emma Sears, who passed to Lindsey Heaps to score the USA’s first goal in the contest. Joseph and the USWNT will now first face Japan in San Jose, California, April 11 at 4:30 p.m. CT, then head up the coast to face off again in Seattle, Washington, April 14 at 9 p.m. CT and finally finish off the series April 17 at 8 p.m. CT in Commerce City, Colorado.

 

Julia Grosso - Canada Women's National Team

Grosso and the Canada Women’s National Team will compete in the inaugural women’s FIFA Series 2026. Grosso started in Canada’s 1-0 loss to the United States in the CANWNT’s second match of the 2026 SheBelieves Cup and appeared as a substitute in the third. Now Grosso and Canada head to Brazil, where they will face off in three friendlies, the first against Zambia April 11, then take on Korea Republic April 14 before closing the series April 18 against Brazil.

 

Aaliyah Farmer - Mexico Women's National Team

Farmer will represent Mexico in the nation’s final matches of their 2025/26 Concacaf W Qualifiers campaign. Farmer played a full 90 minutes of Mexico’s last Concacaf W Qualifiers match, a 7-0 win against Saint Lucia, and started in Mexico’s friendly against Brazil. The last two matches will see Mexico take on the U.S. Virgin Islands April 10 before they battle with Puerto Rico April 18 for the lone Group A automatic qualifying berth to the 2026 Concacaf W Championship.

 

Micayla Johnson - U.S. U-19 Women's National Team

Johnson has been named to her second U-19 USWNT roster and heads to Argentina for two friendlies against the Argentina Under-19 Women’s National Team Johnson shone brightly in her first outings with the Under-19s, subbing into the United States’ first match and starting in the next two. The 18-year-old’s moment came 34 minutes into the U-19 USWNT’s final match in the trio of friendlies when she put the ball past the Portuguese keeper’s outstretched arm and put the United Stares ahead before the match ultimately ended in a draw. Now, the U-19 USWNT will face off with Argentina April 14 and April 17 in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

After the NWSL’s April international break, Farmer, Grosso, Johnson and Joseph will rejoin Chicago Stars FC to resume their regular season campaign with a three-match homestand at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium. The Chicago Stars will first return to action against Boston Legacy FC April 25 at 5:30 p.m. CT for the club’s Celebration of Black Culture match. The Stars then play host to reigning NWSL Champions, Gotham FC, for their College Night midweek match, April 29 at 7 p.m. CT. Finally, Chicago closes the homestretch against Portland Thorns FC May 3 at noon CT with the Stars’ Together Strong match, presented by nellaspec.com. Tickets for all Chicago Stars home matches, including Season Ticket Memberships, Flex Packs and single-match tickets, are available now at chicagostars.com/tickets.

Michelle Alozie, Aaliyah Farmer, Julia Grosso and Jameese Joseph to Represent Senior National Teams, Micayla Johnson to Join United States Under-19 Women’s National Team

Chicago Stars Michelle Alozie, Aaliyah Farmer, Julia Grosso, Micayla Johnson and Jameese Joseph have all been called to represent their respective national teams in the February/March international window. Alozie and Farmer will join Nigeria and Mexico, respectively, for the first time as Chicago Stars. Grosso will don a Canadian jersey and Joseph will compete with the United States senior national team again, while Micayla Johnson joins the United States Under-19 Women’s National Team (U-19 USWNT) for the first time.

Jameese Joseph is one of two Chicago Stars representing their countries in the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, joining the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) for the second time this year. The forward’s last stint with the USWNT was one to remember, with Joseph earning her first start for the United States against Chile Jan. 28 and putting on a stellar performance that culminated in her first international goal. Joseph had multiple good looks at goal throughout the match, with her first shot less than a minute after play began, but the one that found the back of the net came from Yazmeen Ryan feeding the ball into the box for Joseph. The Chicago Star boxed out her defender and turned as she took possession, firing off a shot that Chile’s keeper had no hope of stopping to double the USWNT’s lead before they emerged with a 5-0 victory.

Julia Grosso is the other Star participating in the 2026 SheBelieves Cup, taking up her position with the Canadian Women’s National Team (CANWNT) again. Grosso last featured for Canada in the team’s final pair of matches in 2025, coming off the bench in both losses to Japan and seeing the pitch for 55 total minutes. Grosso joins Canada for the first time in 2026 after appearing in 11 matches in 2025 and scoring 2 goals.

The 2026 SheBelieves Cup kicks off with Canada taking on Colombia Mar. 1 at 1 p.m. CT in Nashville, Tennessee. Jameese Joseph and the USWNT will follow, matching up against Argentina at 4 p.m. CT. The United States goes toe-to-toe with Canada in Columbus, Ohio, at 5:30 p.m. CT. Finally, Canada will finish their SheBelieves Cup action Mar. 7 against Argentina at 11:30 a.m. CT and the U.S. will face off with Colombia at 2:30 p.m. CT in Harrison, New Jersey.

Michelle Alozie, who joined the Chicago Stars in December 2025, heads off with Nigeria as they prepare for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with two friendlies. Alozie most recently started in both of Nigeria’s final matches of WAFCON qualification, playing a key role in securing the Super Falcons’ spot in the tournament. Nigeria’s pair of friendlies will see the Super Falcons take on Cameroon, first Feb. 28, then again Mar. 6.

Aaliyah Farmer, the newest Star on Chicago’s roster, will join Mexico as they continue their 2025/26 Concacaf W Qualifiers journey. In the November/December international window, Farmer came in off the bench in the Mexican Women’s National Team’s Concacaf W Qualifiers match against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and started in Mexico’s friendly match against Costa Rica. This international window will see Farmer and Mexico visit Saint Lucia in Concacaf W Qualifiers play Mar. 2 and play a friendly with Brazil Mar. 7.

Micayla Johnson moves up in the U.S. Soccer youth system with this call-up, starting her time with the Under-19 USWNT. Since joining the Chicago Stars last season, Johnson took part in several Under-17 USWNT camps and competed in the 2025 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup with the United States to close out the year. Johnson helped the Under-17 USWNT finish first in their group with a goal and an assist before scoring an equalizer that sent their first knockout round match to penalty kicks. The 18-year-old forward now joins the Under-19 USWNT for a camp in Lisbon, Portugal, that will see matches against Wales Feb. 26, Czechia Mar. 2 and Portugal Mar. 6.

Following the February/March international window, Alozie, Farmer, Grosso, Johnson and Joseph will return to Chicago to finish final preparations with the Stars ahead of the 2026 National Women’s Soccer League season. The Chicago Stars kick off the season on the road March 15 against Angel City FC. The club returns to Chicago the following week to play their home opener at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium Sunday, March 22, at 1 p.m. CT against the Kansas City Current. Tickets for all Chicago Stars home matches, including Season Ticket Memberships, Flex Packs and single-match tickets, are available now at chicagostars.com/tickets.

Ivonne Chacón, Julia Grosso, Kathrin Hendrich, Jameese Joseph and Ludmila Called Up for November/December International Window

Chicago Stars Ivonne Chacón, Julia Grosso, Kathrin Hendrich, Jameese Joseph and Ludmila have all earned call-ups to their respective national teams for the final international window of 2025. Jameese Joseph headlines the list of Stars hitting the international stage, making her first feature on the senior United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) roster. Additionally, Chácon joins Colombia, Grosso heads off with Canada and Hendrich returns to Germany’s roster, while Ludmila will rejoin Brazil.

Ivonne Chacón represents Colombia for the second time as a Chicago Star, repping her country in another leg of the CONMEBOL Liga de Naciones Femenina. Chacón most recently joined the Colombian Women’s National Team for the first two matchdays of the tournament, coming on as a substitute against Peru to score Colombia’s final goal in the 4-1 victory and started in the team’s match against Ecuador. In this window, Colombia’s third CONMEBOL Liga de Naciones Femenina match will see Chacón and Las Cafeteras visit Bolivia November 28 at 5 p.m. CT at Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz, Bolivia.

Julia Grosso finishes the year joining all of the Canadian Women’s National Team (CANWNT) camps in 2025. Grosso has scored twice for Canada so far this year and most recently started in both of Canada’s friendlies in October, playing 136 minutes. The CANWNT head abroad again for two friendlies in this international window, taking on Japan in both. The first match will kick off at 12:30 a.m. CT November 29 at Nagasaki Stadium City (Peace Stadium) in Nagasaki, Japan, and the second will take place at 11 p.m. CT December 1 at Transcosmos Stadium Nagasaki in Isahaya, Japan.

Kathrin Hendrich joins Germany for their last bouts in 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League play. Hendrich played a crucial role in Germany’s semifinal matches against France in the last international window, starting in one and subbing in off the bench in the other. Advancing to the finals with a 3-2 aggregate score, Hendrich and Germany will now fight for 2025 UEFA Women’s Nations League glory against Spain. The first of the home-and-away fixtures will take place November 28 at 1:30 p.m. CT at Fritz-Walter-Stadion in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and the second will be played December 2 at 11:30 a.m. CT at Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain.

Jameese Joseph deservedly earned her first call-up to the senior United States Women’s National Team for the November/December window. Joseph had a stellar sophomore season with the Stars in 2025, finishing her second campaign in Chicago with four goals and two assists, one of which earned NWSL Assist of the Week in Week 4. After four camps with the Under-23 USWNT in 2025, including the USWNT Futures camp in January, Joseph will now join the full USWNT, training with them before the United States’ final matches of the year against Italy. The USWNT and the Italians will face off twice, playing first November 28 at 6 p.m. CT at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida, then at Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, December 1 at 6 p.m. CT. The first match will be available on TNT and HBO Max in English, Universo and Peacock in Spanish and on the radio on the Westwood One Sports, while the December 1 match will be on TNT and HBO Max in English, Peacock in Spanish and on the radio in English on the Westwood One Sports and in Spanish on Fútbol de Primera.

Ludmila closes the year with her fifth call-up of 2025, joining Brazil in Europe once again. In the last international window, the attacker started in the Brazilian Women’s National Team’s 1-2 takedown of England and subbed in off the bench against Italy to tally 97 minutes on the pitch. For this window, Ludmila and Brazil are set to face off with Norway and Portugal. The Brazilians will take on the Norwegians on the neutral ground of Estadio Municipal de La Línea in Línea, Spain, November 28 at 1 p.m. CT, before Portugal hosts them December 2 at 2:45 p.m. CT at Estádio Municipal de Aveiro in Aveiro, Portugal.

Following the November/December international window, Chacón, Grosso, Hendrich, Joseph and Ludmila will resume their offseason. The five Stars will join the rest of their teammates again for preseason in January before the 2026 NWSL season kicks off in March. Chicago Stars FC will play their 2026 home matches at the picturesque Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois. Fans can visit starsnextchapter.com now to secure their spot on the lakefront with a 2026 Season Ticket Membership.

Chicago Stars FC forward, Jameese Joseph, earned her first call-up to the senior United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) as announced by head coach, Emma Hayes, today. Joseph will represent the Chicago Stars as a member of the USWNT in their final camp of 2025 and the team’s final matches of the year against Italy November 28 and December 1.   

“To be selected for the national team is an incredible honor—one I never take for granted,” said Joseph. “I’m deeply grateful for the chance to be part of this group. My hope is simply to learn and grow as much as I can, be a sponge with everything that’s taught, have fun with the experience, and give my absolute best in every moment.” 

Joseph began 2025 with a call-up to U.S. Soccer’s Futures Camp, which ran concurrently with the USWNT’s January camp. Following the Futures Camp, Joseph received consistent call-ups to the Under-23 USWNT, most recently joining the team in October for their camp that partially overlapped with the full USWNT as they prepared for their matches against Portugal and New Zealand.  

In just her second season as a professional and a member of the Chicago Stars, Joseph has proven herself deserving of attention from the national team. The sophomore forward kicked off the 2025 season by scoring the team’s first goal of the year in the Stars' home opener against the Houston Dash. Joseph and fellow Chicago Star, Ludmila, teamed up two matches later to put on a show in the Bay area as the pair linked to score two incredible first-half goals, with Joseph assisting both. The Maryland native would go on to finish the 2025 regular season with 21 appearances, 16 starts, two assists and four goals for the Stars. In the club’s last match of the season against Angel City FC, Joseph kicked off a comeback win when she received the ball from Nádia Gomes just inside the 18-yard box in the 49th minute, set herself up with a touch of her left foot, causing her defender to run past her, and taking a shot that found the back of the net.  

Fans can watch Joseph and the USWNT’s November 28 match at Inter&Co Stadium, at 6 p.m. CT on TNT and HBO Max in English, Universo and Peacock in Spanish and on the radio on the Westwood One Sports. The team will then travel south to meet with Italy again December 1 at Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale at 6 p.m. CT, available to watch on TNT and HBO Max in English, Peacock in Spanish and on the radio in English on the Westwood One Sports and in Spanish on Fútbol de Primera. 

Following the offseason, Chicago Stars FC and Jameese Joseph will kick off the 2026 season at their new home at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois. Fans can be part of the transformative season by becoming Season Ticket Members at starsnextchapter.com.